Two fair price shops under scanner for non-compliance

Strict action against two fair price shops (FPS) in Burari area was ordered by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Wednesday, after the minister made a surprise inspection to check the compliance of guidelines and norms for delivery of specified food articles (SFAS) to the ration card holders where he found the FPS locked.

Hussain directed the Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies, to seek an explanation of concerned Food and Supply Officer (FSO), Food and Supply Inspector (FSI) and Assistant Commissioner (FCS) regarding the closure of shops on working days for their lack of proper supervision.

The Minister directed that disciplinary proceedings, including suspension, be initiated against erring officials.

The Food and Supplies department informed the minister that there are several violations by the two FPS, therefore they have been sealed and further action such as suspension of license as per law/rules is being taken.

The Minister also directed the Department to ensure that all the prescribed information is displayed on the boards of all FPS and that no laxity will be tolerated on the part of erring FPS dealers. At present, more than 72.78 lakh beneficiaries are covered for drawing ration as per entitlement in Delhi.

The Department has issued guidelines from time to time, in order to ensure that targeted ration beneficiaries get their due amount of specified food articles in time and also to ensure prevention of undesirable activities by unscrupulous FPS dealers. “The Department guidelines provide various kinds of penalties in the event of stock variation found on the part of concerned FPS dealer. In the case of variation of stocks upto 50 kg of SFAS, a penalty of Rs 5,000 needs to be imposed,” informed a communiqué.