Vigilance Raid Finds Stock Discrepancies, Suspicious Online Transactions In Kerala Ration Shops
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Vigilance raids have revealed shocking malpractices across in several ration shops across Kerala. Stock discrepancies were detected in 11 National Food Security Act (NFSA) warehouses and 25 ration shops in the inspections of the public distribution system in the state, The New Indian Express reported.
The officials also found suspicious financial transactions worth Rs 18.22 lakh in the statewide inspection drive. The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau conducted surprise inspections under Operation Bhakshya Suraksha in 14 NFSA warehouses and 54 ration shops selected across the state.
The inspection was conducted following intelligence inputs about widespread corruption and irregularities. Notably, officials caught four ration shop licensees red-handed for selling ration commodities illegally. The vigilance officials had approached the ration shop operators as construction contractors buying food grains for workers.
Vigilance teams contacted beneficiaries whose names appeared in ration shop records and found that many had not received the full quantity of food grains shown in the bills. Grains were suspiciously being billed in the names of beneficiaries and diverted for sale at higher prices.
The vigilance officials have handed over the food grains purchased during the operation and the licensees involved to the respective taluk supply officers for further action. The officials also found suspicious online transactions worth Rs 18.22 lakh involving six NFSA warehouse officials and five ration shop licensees. The transactions were allegedly carried out with contractors, middlemen and others involved in the food grain trade.
