The Secretary of the Fair Price Shop Meghalaya Association, Sarlinda Kharlukhi, has raised concerns over the alleged non-disbursement of more than ₹39.80 crore meant for ration dealers in Meghalaya under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Addressing a press conference at the Shillong Press Club on Monday, Kharlukhi claimed that an amount of ₹39,80,21,333 allocated by the Government of India for Fair Price Shop dealers has remained unsettled since 2016.
Expressing concern over the matter, she said many ration dealers across the state may not even be aware of the existence of the pending amount. According to her, the funds were intended as benefits for dealers involved in the distribution of subsidised food grains under the Public Distribution System.
Kharlukhi informed that she has already approached the All India Fair Price Shop Federation, seeking its intervention in the matter. She has also written to the Under Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya, requesting information regarding the status of the funds.
She said the issue came to her attention only recently and stressed that it is important to determine whether the money has been released, remains pending, or has been withheld for any reason.
The Fair Price Shop leader urged the State Government and the Food and Civil Supplies Minister to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that eligible ration dealers receive any dues owed to them.
Kharlukhi also assured that she would continue to pursue the issue with the concerned authorities, including departments under the Government of India, until clarity is provided regarding the status of the funds.
The association has called for transparency and accountability in the matter, saying that ration dealers deserve to know whether benefits earmarked for them have been released.
