Ration Dealer Booked After 16.70 Quintals of Wheat, Rice Found Short

Rajat Malhotra

A major case of ration black marketing has come to light in Gursari village, under the Chandausi tehsil area of Sambhal. After irregularities were found in ration distribution, the Food and Supplies Department had a case registered against ration dealer Kuldeep at the Kudhfatehgarh police station under Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act.

The investigation followed complaints from villagers about irregularities in the distribution of ration. The complaints were submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Chandausi, and the District Magistrate, Sambhal.

Based on the complaints, a joint team of Supply Inspector Ashish Gupta and the Revenue Department inspected the ration shop on 13 October. During the inspection, 24 cardholders accused the dealer of giving them less ration than the quantity fixed for them.

The team then matched the stock available at the shop with the records. The inspection found 12.07 quintals of wheat missing and 4.63 quintals of rice missing. This meant that a total of 16.70 quintals of wheat and rice was found short.

After the shortage was detected, officials sealed the ration shop at the spot. The action was taken after the stock inspection and the complaints made by the cardholders.

However, complainants Manoj Chaudhary and Chanchal Sirohi said that no action was taken against the dealer for one week even after the shop had been sealed. They then submitted another complaint at the District Magistrate’s office.

Following the second complaint, a case was finally registered against ration dealer Kuldeep at the Kudhfatehgarh police station on Wednesday evening. The case has been registered under Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act. Police are investigating the matter.