PDS ‘scam’ alleged in Subarnapur; beneficiaries gherao supplies inspector

Alleging irregularities in rice distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS), beneficiaries of Urli village in Binika City of Subarnapur district staged protests and encircled a supplies inspector on Sunday. 

They accused the dealer Rabindra Panda of embezzling their rice. The beneficiaries alleged that Rabindra has not distributed PDS rice to them for the last four months. 

“The dealer has taken our ration cards but has not provided us PDS rice. Our quota of rice should be immediately given to us,” said a beneficiary. 

As Supplies Inspector Pinku Bhue arrived at the village to look into the complaints, irate villagers gheraohed him and demanded disbursal of the PDS rice which has not been given to them. 

As for the PDS irregularities, the supplies inspector said, “Till now I have not received any written complaint regarding the incident. If the irregularities are found, action will be taken against the dealer. We have started a probe into the matter.”