Jowai, December 28: For the first time the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia District has taken action against the Fair Price Shop dealer of Barato Village by cancelling the license of the Fair Price Shop dealer, for selling the PDs rice and sugar above the government fix rate, this was done after repeated reminders to the fair price shop owners not to sell PDS rice and sugar at more than the government fixed rate.
The Deputy Commissioner, received the complaint through WhatsApp that in the Barato village A fair price shop was selling rice at 12 Rs per kg which is 9 Rs more than the Government fixed rate. During inquiry, the headman of Barato refused the allegation and wanted to know the details of the complainant.
The complainant had anticipated this and had requested me not to reveal his identity to anyone for fear of ostracization and threat from the headman and Dorbar Shnong. The FP shop owner has admitted that he has sold rice at more than Rs. 3 in consultation with Dorbar Shnong. Subsequently his FP shop license has been cancelled.
This is the first time any FP shop’s license has been cancelled in West Jaintia Hills district. Barato headman has been warned not to repeat the same and he has been asked to appoint a fresh licensee.
Under the National Food Security Act 2013, the local authorities, in case of Meghalaya, the Dorbar Shnongs are responsible for correct implementation of the Act. Instead they increase the price of commodities unilaterally without any sanction from the Government.
This is unacceptable. The government has approved Rs.2.43 per kg of rice as transportation subsidy to be shared between wholesale dealer and FP shops. If you think that running an FP shop is not profitable you may surrender the license, there are so many people waiting in line to become FP shop licensees. Any FP shop violating the norms of NFSA, strict action as per law will be taken against them.
