Chhattisgarh Assembly Committee to Investigate PDS Irregularities

The Chhattisgarh Assembly has formed a committee to investigate alleged irregularities in fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS) during the previous Congress governments rule.

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has decided to constitute a committee of the state Assembly to investigate alleged irregularities in fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS) that were unearthed during the previous Congress government.

Irregularities Found in Ration Shops

Food and Civil Supply Minister Dayaldas Baghel informed reporters in the Assembly premises that irregularities were found in the operation of ration shops during the previous Bhupesh Baghel government (2018-23). A physical verification of the stock in 13,392 fair price shops conducted in 2022-end revealed a shortage of ration worth Rs 216 crore, including 44,240 tonnes of rice valued at Rs 192.65 crore, across 5,882 fair price shops.

Action Taken Against Fair Price Shops

In response to the irregularities, the government has taken action against the errant fair price shops. The licenses of 227 shops have been suspended, 181 shops have been ordered to shut down, and FIRs have been registered against 24 operators of these outlets.

BJP MLAs Demand Probe

During the Question Hour in the Assembly, BJP MLAs Dharamlal Kaushik, Ajay Chandrakar, and Rajesh Munat raised the issue of irregularities in PDS during the Congress rule and demanded a thorough investigation. They alleged that large-scale irregularities were committed, leading to the siphoning off of food grains meant for the poor by rice mafias.

Committee to Investigate Irregularities

Responding to the demands of the BJP MLAs, Minister Baghel assured the House that the irregularities would be thoroughly investigated. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brijmohan Agrawal announced that the government has agreed to constitute a committee of legislators to probe the matter.

The formation of the committee reflects the government's commitment to addressing the irregularities in the PDS and ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution of essential commodities to the needy.