A member of the Punjab State Food Commission on Monday inspected several government ration depots in the Kot Khalsa area and ordered an inquiry into complaints of irregularities in the distribution of food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Vijay Dutt, a member of the Commission, conducted the inspection on the first day of his two-day visit to the district. During the visit, councillors Virat Devgan of Ward 66 and Shamsher Singh Sandhu of Ward 71 submitted complaints against two depot holders, alleging delays in wheat distribution and rude behaviour towards beneficiaries.
A large number of local residents also gathered at the inspection site and raised similar grievances. They alleged irregularities in the distribution process and claimed that eligible beneficiaries were facing difficulties in receiving their allotted food grains.
Taking serious note of the complaints, Dutt directed District Food and Civil Supplies Controller (DFSC) Harveen Kaur, who accompanied him during the inspection, to record the statements of all complainants on the spot. He instructed officials to initiate strict action against any depot holder found guilty following a proper investigation.
Addressing the issue, councillors Devgan and Sandhu said that the negligent and arbitrary conduct of some depot holders was undermining public confidence in government welfare schemes.
“The Punjab Government is making continuous efforts to ensure a transparent and efficient ration distribution system. However, the behaviour of a few depot holders creates dissatisfaction among beneficiaries and damages the government’s image,” they said, demanding stringent action against those found violating rules. Dutt also directed that the Punjab State Food Commission’s complaint and helpline number — 98767-64545 — be prominently displayed at all government ration depots across the state. He warned that if the helpline number was not displayed at any depot in future, the concerned Food Inspector would be held accountable and appropriate action would follow.
The Commission member also reviewed the progress of the distribution of special ration kits being provided under the government’s ‘Meri Rasoi Yojana’.
DFSC Harveen informed the Commission that around 94,000 ration kits had reached the district so far, of which more than 50,000 had already been distributed among beneficiaries.
