Top bureaucrat suspended over missing ration

NEW DELHI: In a major move which is bound to check hoarding of subsidised ration, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday ordered the suspension of Delhi’s food and supplies commissioner over alleged irregularities in ration system.

Addressing a press conference, food and supplies minister Imran Hussain said the  orders of the commissioner’s suspension have been sent to lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal.

“Last night, we went to a ration shop in Nangloi, and found that the wheat and rice stock was missing, despite the receipts of delivery,” the minister said.

About “152 quintal of wheat and 38 quintal of rice” was meant to be there, he said, adding, it was to be distributed in December. The minister said he suspected a “scam” in it and immediately sent a report to the chief minister. “After which the CM has ordered suspension of the food commissioner with immediate effect. The order has been sent to L-G also,” he told reporters.

The AAP government  has always maintained that it would deal with an iron hand with those who put roadblocks in delivery of subsidized ration to Delhiites. It has also been conducting surprise checks to see whether anyone was involved in hoarding subsidised ration. The  government also made a serious bid to see that the subsidized ration was  made available to people at their door steps. But Raj Niwas had earlier rejected the move citing Central government rules.