Post News Network
Dasamantpur, Jan 11: Several NFSA beneficiaries of 16 panchayats under this block in Koraput district Monday vandalised the Market Intelligence (MI) office of the civil supplies department here during a protest against alleged irregularities committed in distribution of ration cards.
According to reports, about 45 per cent of the people of Dasamantpur, Chanabad, Murkar, A Malkangiri, Podagada, Tumbaguda and other panchayats demonstrated at the office alleging wrongdoings in ration card beneficiary selection. While rich people including some government employees and people’s representatives have managed to get ration cards, several poor families have been left out of the scheme, the protesters alleged.
It was learnt that the protesters had apprised the block administration as well as the civil supplies officer (CSO) of their problems on several occasions, but to no avail. They were even promised by the authorities that the distribution of ration would be held up till all eligible beneficiaries get their cards. However, alleged supply of rice in some panchayats infuriated the people following which they assembled at the supply office to register their protest.
The alleged rude response of CSO Dibakar Maharana triggered resentment among the people and they resorted to vandalism, a report said.
On being informed by the CSO, a police team reached the spot and tried to pacify the mob.
“We will commit mass suicide inside the office if we fail to get ration cards,” some of the agitators warned.
BDO Sukanta Majhi said he would look into the matter and make arrangements for inclusion of the names of genuine beneficiaries under the subsidised food grains scheme. PNN