Bijnor: The licences of 78 ration shops were cancelled in Bijnor as there were anomalies in the public distribution system (PDS). In the last nine months, ration worth Rs 42 lakhs has been seized for allegedly being sold in the black market.The PDS in the country facilitates the supply of foodgrains and distribution of essential commodities to a large number of poor people through a network of fair price shops at a subsidised price on a recurring basis. Under the scheme, five kg grain, including wheat and rice at the cost of Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kg respectively, is provided to the ration cardholders.The e-POS machines were installed in urban areas and ration cards of eligible beneficiaries were also linked to their Aadhaar numbers to make the system more transparent. The ration dealers here provide foodgrains and kerosene only after taking the thumb impression of cardholders or of their family members. Last year, around 78 ration cards dealers had siphoned off foodgrains of beneficiaries by linking one Aadhaar card to several ration cards with the help of supply department’s staff. When matter came to the fore, FIRs were lodged against erring dealers and they were sent to jail in September last year.Talking to TOI, district supply officer Manish Kumar said, “We have cancelled licences of 78 ration shops. Out of these, 54 have been merged with other shops, while the rest have been attached to nearby shops so that the distribution of foodgrains is not affected.”“Our team is inspecting and conducting raids regularly. We have conducted 434 raids and 1,346 inspections, suspending 124 shops and the licence of 78 shops were cancelled in the last nine months. Apart from this, over 40,000 litres of petroleum substances, 102 quintal rice, 284 quintal wheat and several vehicles used in the selling of foodgrains in the black market, which is worth Rs 41.26 lakhs, have been confiscated.”

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