Food security activists of Jharkhand have complained about intimidation by a public distribution system (PDS) dealer alleged to have siphoned off ration depriving beneficiaries of food grains in violation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The activists under the aegis of Khadya Suraksha Jan Adhikar Manch last week submitted a memorandum to West Singhbhum deputy commissioner Ananya Mittal and reminded about the public hearing earlier at Khuntpani block in which ration card holders in large numbers from different panchayats of the block alleged of irregularities in food grains distribution by the PDS dealers.

The memorandum informs that one of the food security activists Narayan Kandeyang from Khuntpani was verbally abused and threatened over the phone by a ration dealer.

The recording of the call has been submitted to the deputy commissioner as evidence.

“Ration beneficiaries of Loharda panchayat had complained that a ration dealer had not distributed ration in August even though he had got the biometrics (punching done in the e-POS machine). During the hearing the District Supply Officer (Sunila Khalkho) ordered that the pending grains along with compensation would be given to the cardholders within a week,” the memorandum states.

“On Monday the dealer made the poor cardholders secretly sign giving them less food grains. When Narayan Kandeyang called the dealer to discuss this matter, the dealer abused him using expletives and threatened him with physical violence,” it adds.

The memorandum also informs about similar threats by the block development office head clerk last year after a public hearing in the Tonto block of the same district against food security activist Banmali Bari and alleges that no action has been taken against the official despite complaints.

The memorandum alleges that ration dealers who have been embezzling food grains continue to threaten food activists and poor villagers.