JOIN USFood and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said so far 71 cases have been booked against those who were found diverting the rice meant for Anna Bhagya scheme meant for BPL families under the public distribution system.
Replying to questions by M C Nanaiah (JD-S) in the Legislative Council on Monday, the minister admitted that a huge network is operating in black market for diverting the rice meant for the scheme. Action has been taken against 65 people of the 71 found violating the norms. Of these, three were departmental officials and two were contractors, the minister said. In 2013-14, Rs 3,400 crore has been allocated for the scheme.
Rao said that legal opinion is being sought to find whether cases can be booked under the Goonda Act against those who indulge in selling rice in black market. Installing CCTVs and using electronic weighing machines are part of the reforms to check irregularities.
Also, directions have been issued to PDS to be open from first to tenth of every month. Adalat will also be held every month, as part of the monitoring. Vigilance committees will be constituted and intensive inspection will be carried on, the minister assured.