By SK.Vyas
New Delhi, June 6, 2019: Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Imran Hussain on Thursday carried out surprise inspections of a few Fair Price Shops (FPS) in Laxmi Nagar area in East District AC-58 to check the functioning of ration shops. Assistant Commissioner, FSO(s) and FSI (s) of Food & Civil Supplies Department also accompanied Hon’ble Minister during the inspection.
During an inspection of one of the Fair Price Shop (FPS), the Minister found that the FPS dealer was selling atta (flour) in violation of the norms and provisions of NFS Act 2013. 11 kg atta (flour) was also found at the FPS premises, which is a grave irregularity. The FPS dealer was also found issuing bills/cash memos for rice whereas the beneficiaries were not taking rice. The Minister spoke to the ration beneficiaries who informed that even though they don’t take rice yet the FPS dealer issues receipts and makes entries in their ration cards showing that the rice was also being sold to them (the beneficiaries) under the NFS Act 2013.
On the directions of the Minister, the F&S team weighed the food articles and found rice in excess quantities at the FPS premises. Ration beneficiaries complained that such practice of issuing bills showing sale of rice through the beneficiaries were not taking the same, was going on for the last 2 years at least.
On the second FPS, Hussain found the shop in unhygienic condition. The wheat grains were found scattered at the premises. Cleanliness was not being maintained by the dealer. He spoke to the ration beneficiaries who informed that the FPS dealer sells atta (flour) in place of wheat for which he charges Rs. 12/- per kg.
During inspection of a third Fair Price Shop (FPS), the shop was found locked during working day/hours. The Minister also found that the said FPS did not display outside its premises, the mandatory information for the benefit and guidance of ration beneficiaries. The Minister directed the accompanying F&S Department team to seal the premises immediately for failure on the part of the FPS dealer to comply with the directions of the Department causing inconvenience to the ration beneficiaries.
Some FPSs were found not displaying mandatory information on the display boards at their premises. During inspection one, FPS was reported remaining locked most of the times.
Noting with grave concern, the grave irregularities being committed on the part of FPS dealers, the Minister issued on the spot directions to the F&S Department to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and take all warranted actions immediately as per law against the erring dealers and submit complete action taken the report to him by today (06.06.2019) evening.
Department guidelines inter-alia mandate the FPS dealers to provide various information to the ration card holders under the National Food Security Act, 2013 viz. name of Licensee and Authority Letter No., stock of food grains received during the month, previous day’s closing stock and current day’s opening stock, timings of opening and closing of the FPS including lunch break, the entitlement of food grains, the scale of the issue, retail issue prices, toll-free helpline no., samples of specified food articles (sugar, wheat and rice), weekly off day and complaint register number.
Hussain reiterated the commitment of Delhi Govt. to provide food-grains to the entitled categories under the National Food Security Act, 2013, timely, accurately and in more transparent manner.