Delhi govt seals 10 fair price shops, lodges 18 FIRs

In a major crackdown to detect the diversion of foodgrains meant for supplying to the poor under the Public Distribution System, Delhi government today sealed 10 Fair Price Shops (FPS) and lodged 18 FIRs against the violators.
The Department of Food and Supplies received complaints of diversion, overcharging and under delivery of specified food articles (SFAs) against some Fair Price Shop owners following which raids were conducted.
The department constituted 30 teams which raided 54 FPS during the day.
"The Department had received complaints of diversion, overcharging and under delivery of SFAs against some FPS owners.
"During the raids, diversion of foodgrains was noticed in some of the shops, while in other the deficiencies in documentation and service delivery were noticed following which 10 shops have been sealed and against which further investigations will continue. Besides this, FIRs have been lodged against 18 FPSs under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. On conviction, the defaulters face imprisonment upto a period of 7 years," said SS Yadav Commissioner (Food and Supplies).

The areas where raids were conducted include Mataila, Tilak Nagar, Tughlakabad, Sangam Vihar, Dakshinpuri, Kalkaji, Chhattarpur, Narela, Badli, Rithala, Karawal Nagar, Mustafabad, Seelampur, Okhla, Greater Kailash, Jangpura, Malviya Nagar, Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Jama Masjid, Matia Mahal, Ballimaran, Karol Bagh.
"There are 2400 FPS in Delhi through which specified food articles (SFAs) namely wheat, rice and sugar are supplied under the PDS to the people in Delhi.
"The supplies meant for people belonging to lower economic strata of society having annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000 per annum. The SFAs are provided at a highly subsidized rates," Yadav added.