Protest erupts after massive ‘irregularities’ in distribution of PDS rice in Jajpur

Alleging irregularities in the distribution of rice under the Public Distribution System (PDS), scores of beneficiaries at Singhapur panchayat under Binjharpur block in Jajpur district expressed resentment by staging an agitation on Thursday.

As per the allegation by beneficiaries, they have been issued tokens since last September but the dealer is not providing them rice under the PDS scheme on a regular basis. Despite repeated complaints to the administrative officials, no step has been taken in this regard, they alleged.

“The dealer has not been providing us PDS rice for the last two months. Though we have been provided tokens, the dealer is dillydallying and now we are deprived of our quota of rice. We are facing a lot of problems due to the delay,” said Prabhasini Behera, one of the beneficiaries.

“We are facing a lot of trouble in getting our quota of rice from the dealer. He (the dealer) is killing our time and making many excuses to provide us rice on a regular basis. We have complained about the irregularities to the district administration many times. However, no step has been taken in this regard yet,” rued Prashanta Pandava, another beneficiary.

Meanwhile, Jajpur Sub-Collector Gopinath Kuanr said that they are aware of the allegations and appropriate action in this regard will be taken at the earliest.

“An investigation into the alleged irregularities is currently going on. Following the completion of the investigation, proper action will be taken,” said Kuanr.