Beneficiaries protest alleged PDS dealer misconduct in chhota chidka village

Jamshedpur:  Concerns are mounting over the conduct of Uttam Kumar Mandal, a Public Distribution System shopkeeper in the rural village of Chhota Chidka, under the Madhavpur Panchayat in Bodam block. Cardholders have come forward to accuse Uttam Kumar Mandal of providing inadequate food grains to beneficiaries while hoarding and engaging in black market activities.

In response to these allegations, members of the Durga Aajeevika Mahila Samiti, led by BJP leader Vimal Baitha, staged a demonstration at the block office on Thursday. The protestors also submitted a memorandum to the Block Development Officer (BDO), urging swift action against the PDS dealer.

Members of the Mahila Samiti have asserted that Uttam Mandal receives food grains from the block on a monthly basis but appears to distribute them at his discretion, disregarding government directives. While government guidelines mandate the distribution of rice and wheat to each cardholder, beneficiaries often receive either rice or wheat, but not both. The committee further alleges that the PDS dealer is deceiving cardholders, accumulating surplus food grains, and engaging in black-market activities. When beneficiaries attempt to voice their concerns, they claim to face verbal abuse and intimidation.