Kerala: Ration dealers allege revenge

THRISSUR: The civil supplies officials have allegedly started victimising “whistleblower” ration dealers following mounting complaints of corruption. They accuse them of leaking the information on the large-scale diversion of foodgrains from three wholesale godowns here to private mills. Mannuthy-based Nerkazhcha had filed a complaint with vigilance DySP Thrissur and civil supplies director V. Ratheesan alleging rampant diversion since November after the implementation of the National Food Security Act. Only a handful of retailers were keen on collecting foodgrains and sugar, and a majority of them were allegedly a part of a nexus accused of diverting subsided grains accepting a bribe.

Taluk supply officer Jayachandran P. R. denied such retaliatory action on his part and the frequent raids at some shops in Mannuthy region were as per the inputs from the vigilance. “If there are any such action by ration inspectors, I will look into it," he told DC. "I will seek a written explanation from them at the earliest.” Meanwhile, whistleblower retailers say while quintals and tonnes of food grains are diverted from wholesale godowns especially in Nadathara, they were taken to task with four inspections in a month for the shortage of 10 to 30 kg of grains. They also said all the ration meant for the beneficiaries are being released in full quantity from FCI godowns to wholesalers, but the same are not reaching beneficiaries.