PDS packets dumped in Himachal forest area

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 12

Over 300 packets of pulses meant for distribution through fair price shops on subsidised rates were found dumped in a forest near Thural, 30 km from here, yesterday. The packets carried the HP State Civil Supply Corporation (HPSCC) marking. These were reportedly purchased from National Co-operative Consumers Federation Limited and were meant for the public distribution system (PDS).

It is believed that the packets were dumped two days ago late in the night. “Fair price shops get limited supplies that are sold within a week. The pulses may have been pilfered from a government godown and later dumped in the forest to avoid being caught,” said locals.

Owners of fair price shops in Thural, Sai and Daroh areas said they had already exhausted the entire stock of pulses for the month of July and there was “nothing missing”. Intriguingly, the Food and Civil Supplies Department is yet to take notice of the dumped packets. The district authorities too have not begun any probe.

However, Narinder Dhiman, District Food and Supply Controller, Kangra, said he was “personally looking into the matter”.