Action against those into pilferage of poor’s grain

ALLAHABAD: Taking a strict stand against individuals indulging in pilferage and diversion of food grains meant for the poorest of the poor in UP, the state government has ordered immediate lodging of FIRs against them.

As part of its mission to ensure proper distribution of food grains to the poor under the National Food Security Act, the government has also decided to take legal as well as departmental action against government officials and others playing supervisory roles found aiding this diversion of gains meant for eligible poor households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

The Food Security Act has been implemented in the state with effect from March 1, 2016 and under the AAY, identified poor families from amongst the BPL families covered under the targeted public distribution system are to be provided food grains at subsidised rate of Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 3 per kg for rice.

The decision to crack down on such people comes in wake of increasing number of complaints of food grains meant for distribution to the poor being diverted and sold in open markets.

Dubbing the theft as “unacceptable and condemnable”, the state government has ordered commissioner (food and civil supplies), UP as well as all joint and deputy commissioners under him along with district supply officers to take immediate steps in this regard.

In an order dated April 21, the additional chief secretary, UP, Kumar Arvind Singh Deo has informed the officials that the state government had taken the complaints of irregularities of food grains ‘very seriously’ and ordered the strict and cent percent distribution of grains to eligible beneficiaries under the food security act.

Ordering to hold regular meetings of monitoring committee set up under the food security guidelines, the officials have been directed to keep strict watch on grains distribution and lodging of police complaints against pilfers and sellers diverting these grains to open markets.