Ration Shop Operator Accused of Giving Cash Instead of Wheat, Rice

A case of alleged irregularities in ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS) has come to light in Mangraol village of the Sabalgarh area. The ration shop operator has been accused of giving eligible beneficiaries cash instead of wheat and rice. A video related to the matter has also surfaced.

The video allegedly shows the ration shop operator handing over cash to villagers in place of the food grains they were entitled to receive. Villagers have alleged that this practice is depriving poor families of the food grains meant for them under the public distribution system.

According to the villagers, ration distribution earlier took place in Mangraol village itself. Recently, however, the administration shifted the ration distribution centre to Jabarौल village. Because of this change, elderly people, women and other beneficiaries now have to travel a longer distance to collect their ration.

The villagers have further alleged that even after reaching the distribution centre, beneficiaries are not being given wheat and rice. Instead, they are allegedly handed cash in exchange for the ration.

The allegations became more serious when some beneficiaries reportedly refused to accept the cash and demanded wheat and rice as per the rules. The villagers claim that the ration shop operator then challenged them to complain wherever they wanted.

The operator allegedly said, “राशन लेना है तो पैसे ले लो, अनाज मिलने की कोई गारंटी नहीं है। जहां शिकायत करना हो कर दो, मेरा कोई कुछ नहीं बिगाड़ सकता।”

In English, the alleged statement means that those who wanted ration should take the money because there was no guarantee that they would receive grain, and that they could complain wherever they wanted because no one could harm him.

The alleged response has caused anger among the villagers. They have said that the government runs the Public Distribution System to provide food grains to poor families, but arbitrary practices are allegedly taking place in the village in the name of ration distribution.

The residents of Mangraol village have sought an impartial investigation into the matter. They have complained to the District Collector and officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department and demanded action.

The villagers have also said that the investigation should not be limited to the video. They have demanded that the availability of food grains, the stock position and the distribution records should also be checked along with the decision to shift the ration distribution centre. According to them, these checks are necessary to establish the actual situation.

Additional District Magistrate Ashwani Kumar Rawat said that a team would be formed on the basis of the video and sent to the concerned location for an investigation. He said the team would speak to the villagers and examine the facts on the ground. Action would be taken on the basis of the findings of that investigation.