Suryakant Jena

Bhadrak: The supply inspector of Basudevpur block in Bhadrak district was detained inside his office for about four hours by locals protesting alleged irregularities in supply of Public Distribution System (PDS) items in Rajapokhari panchayat area.

Alleging large-scale irregularities in distribution of PDS items, hundreds of locals from the panchayat staged a protest in front of the Basudevpur Panchayat Samittee office and later detained the supply officer, Bibhisan Nayak inside his office.

According to the villagers, the local retailer in-charge of supplying PDS materials at Rajapokhari panchayat has been misappropriating the ration items for several months. They alleged that despite provision of PDS items for more than 1100 beneficiaries in the area, the retailer is not distributing the items on a regular basis.

While some have alleged that they have been denied ration for two to four months at a stretch, several others have accused the retailer of issuing only 10 kg rice instead of 35 kg.

Bishnu Mohan Bal, a local resident said, "The retailer usually gives us much less ration than the stipulated amount and every time he makes excuses saying that he would give the balance items the following month."

Supply officer Bibhisan Nayak said that a probe has been initiated by a team of officials from the headquarters. Provisions have been made to ensure that people, who have not received adequate items, will be re-issued ration, he added.

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