Women lock up block office in Keonjhar over PDS irregularities

Keonjhar: Alleging irregularities in distribution of rice, more than 100 women from Salekena panchayat today locked up the Telkoi block office in Keonjhar district and demanded action against the concerned officials.

According to sources, the women who are PDS beneficiaries alleged that rice has not been supplied to the block since November last year. Not only this, they further alleged that the rice distributing agency engaged in the area used to cheat them by using false weights to weigh the commodities.

Despite repeated complaints to higher authorities, no remedial action was taken in this regard, they said.

"We had filed a complaint last November after we were deprived of ration. The BDO had assured to provide us with the same but failed to keep his promise. The deputy Collector also promised us the rice but we are yet to receive it. Distressed with this, we finally locked up the block office," said Pagela Munda, a protestor.

However, no comments on the allegations were available from any of the block officials.