Jajpur: At a time when the country is struggling to come to terms with COVID-19 pandemic, several poor families in Odisha have been allegedly 'left out' of the ambitious food security act of the Centre and the State government.
It is alleged that a huge quantity of essential commodities under the Public Distribution System (PDS) has been misappropriated in Dharmasala block of Jajpur district. Allegations are also there that names of several eligible beneficiaries have been struck off the PDS list by the Dharmasala BDO.
The concerned BDO has also submitted a false affidavit in Orissa High Court, alleged senior BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar.
“Dharmasala BDO has struck off the names of Swarnalata and Ramadei from PDS fr having concrete houses (see their real houses in pic) & even given false affidavit in Hon'ble High Court. We demand enquiry & dismissal from service fr false reporting to Court & malafide intent @Naveen_Odisha,” tweeted Samantsinghar.
Rama Dei of Choramuhan village in Jajpur district is presently living in a thatched house. Citing that Rama Dei has a concrete room, her name was deleted from the beneficiary list.
Apart from Rama Dei, several other poor families have also sought intervention of the local administration into the matter. However, the administration is yet to take any step to resolve their grievances.
Earlier, social activist Sarbeswar Behura had moved Orissa High Court challenging the list of beneficiaries prepared under Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) order of 2016.
In his PIL, Behura claimed that beneficiaries of the food security scheme are not getting essential commodities in Dharmasala block.
Behura had alleged that several beneficiaries in the block are yet to get the allowance of Rs 1,000- granted by the State government to each ration card holder.
“The information presented by the BDO in the affidavit before the Orissa High Court is not correct. Citing several reasons, names of several beneficiaries have been dropped. There has been massive corruption in the PDS and stern action should be taken against the BDO and other erring officials of the civil supplies department,” said Behura.
Meanwhile, Dharmasala BDO could not be contacted over the allegations.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
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