After drawing flak from Opposition over non-availability of rations in the depots of public distribution system in the State despite of tall claims of Ministers, the Himachal Pradesh Government has now gone down fixing accountability for lapses.
In a video-conference done by officiating Chief Secretary P Mitra with the Deputy Commissioners, issues and lapses in the public distribution system were discussed in details. Mitra asked DCs to look into the matter in priority basis and submit a report every week about the ration supply and availability.
Opposition BJP has been raking up the issue of non-availability of rations and most of the depots in the State running out of rations distributed to the people on subsidised rates. Around 17 questions have been listed by the opposition MlAs for irregular supply of food grains to the people in the Sinter Session of Assembly.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister GS Balli has been making tall claims that there was no such shortage of the food grains and several surprise inspections have been carried out. Civil supplies officials have been claiming that there is no shortage of food grains and the problem is that depots are not collecting rations or there is problem in local transportation.
Mitra asked the DCs to monitor the situation personally and fix the accountability on the culprits involved in delay or shortage of food grains. Officiating chief secretary also asked the food supply inspectors to keep the phone number of depot holders and ensure the regular supply of food grains.
The move which appears to preempt any disruption during Winter Session of Assembly and snatch an issue from the opposition, seems to be coming very late. BJP has already made up its mind to submit a memorandum to the Governor on December 25, the day when current State Government will complete one year in office, over different issues including irregular supply of food grains to the people and has decided to rake up the issue massively in the winter session.