6 officials suspended for irregularities in Public Distribution System

, Oct 15: Six officials of Food and Supplies department were on Tuesday placed under suspension by the Delhi government for alleged irregularities in distribution of food grains under the public distribution system.

A high-level probe was also ordered into alleged corruption in the department, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf said.

The minister said government has recommended to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to take punitive action against an Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Supplies department after finding him involved in "wrongdoings". The government action came after a TV channel aired a sting operation showing irregularities in the public distribution system.

18 FIRs have been lodged against corrupt officials

"We have ordered an investigation into the allegations of irregularities in the public distribution system. We knew irregularities are taking place in disbursal of the food grains. We will firmly deal with the corrupt elements," Yusuf said.

He said a total of 18 FIRs have been lodged against "corrupt elements" in the last six months while 27 fair price shops have been sealed after finding them involved in "wrongdoings". "We have also cancelled license of six fair price shops," he said.

PTI