Kolkata:Two detained for ‘stealing’ wheat flour meant for PDS

TWO PERSONS – including a local businessman – were detained by the police on Saturday after they were caught allegedly “siphoning off” wheat flour meant for people through the public distribution system (PDS). The incident took place in Birnagar of Nadia district.

This comes against the backdrop of an alleged ration distribution “scam” in connection with which state minister Jyoti Priya Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.

Some local residents raised an alarm after seeing a local businessman, Prashanta Pal, along with a ration shop employee were seen changing wheat flour meant for people with low quality foodgrains. Pal is a businessman who supplies foodgrains to ration shop dealers in the Birnagar and Taherpur areas of Nadia district. A police team reached the spot, detained both persons and seized the foodgrains.
“We are investigating the matter,” said a senior police officer.

Following the development, BJP Ranaghat MP Jagannath Sarkar reached the spot and slammed the state government for its alleged corruption in the public distribution system.

“From police, local BDO to state ministers all are involved in this scam. Everyone who is involved in this must be arrested and punished,” said the BJP leader.

Reacting on the matter, state food and supplies minister Rathin Ghosh said, “We also received so many complaints and from time to time we take action against such persons. We also want the people to stay vigilant…

This article has been republished from The Indian Express.