Irregularities in PDS kerosene distribution

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Cuttack: Massive irregularities in the distribution of PDS kerosene in the district came to the fore recently, with sources claiming that retailers have sold huge quantities of PDS kerosene in the black market.
Irregularities in the distribution of kerosene came to light after officials of the Civil Supplies Department raided a PDS retail shop in Banki area and seized around 1,500 litres of kerosene a few days ago.
Moreover, the Civil Supplies Department has recently suspended two PDS retailers in Mahanga area in connection with irregularities in kerosene distribution.
It is learnt that many PDS retailers in the district have collected kerosene for two months (April and May) from the Civil Supplies Department but distributed only one month’s quota to consumers.
“Many consumers in the district are unaware of the fact that PDS retailers have collected kerosene for two months from the Civil Supplies Department. The retailers have pocketed lakhs of rupees by selling kerosene in the black market,” said Congress leader Bankanidhi Behera.
Left leader Badri Narayan Das claimed that retailers are selling kerosene anywhere between `50 and `60 per litre in the black market. A few social activists have also alleged that most of the retailers in the district used to provide less kerosene to people than their monthly quota. “Consumers are entitled to get 600 ml kerosene per head every month. But, they actually receive 500 ml per head from the retailers,” said social activist Abhimanyu Das.
District Civil Supply officer Amar Mahapatra, however, rejected the allegation. “We have seized 1,500 litres kerosene from a retailer in Banki area. But, there is no report of similar irregularities in other areas of the district,” he added. Civil Supplies Department officer Anath Sahu said the suspension of two retailers in Mahanga area has nothing to do with the alleged irregularities in PDS kerosene distribution.