Our Correspondent
TINSUKIA: The Tinsukia committee of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has alleged anomalies in the distribution of free relief to non-ration card holders during the ongoing lockdown period.
In a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia, the ABVP stated that large-scale irregularities were observed during the distribution of 1st phase of relief. It was unfortunate that a family with 4-5 members had received 2/3 kg of rice and 200/300 gm of dal. The ABVP, while urging the district administration to ensure adequate supply of food relief during second phase, demanded legal action against those persons involved in corruption.
Such anomalies have been reported from almost all municipal wards under Tinsukia Municipality. On enquiry it has been found that though the relief items like rice and dal were supplied by the district administration through civil supply department, the municipal body was at the helm of all affairs. With the dissolution of the board on April 3, the Executive Officer took assistance from defunct ward commissioners to prepare the list of beneficiaries. Most of the ward commissioners played political game keeping in view the forthcoming municipal election and selected beneficiaries on their whims.
Sources said that distribution of relief was fair on the first day and was done as per list and quantum of relief against each family. As the news spread that free relief was being distributed, people from all walks of life queued up which resulted in shortfall of items. The municipality anticipating problems, instead of issuing for additional indent to the appropriate authority, curtailed the quantity and changed the distribution pattern from weight system to packet. The people suspected foul play and alleged corruption, nepotism and irregularities, which cannot be ruled out completely.