Protest held against Public Distribution System

Pune: Members of various organisations staged a protest outside the district collector’s office demanding changes in the facilities provided by the Public Distribution System (PDS) on Wednesday afternoon. 

The organisations included Akhil Bhartiya Janwadi Mahila Sanghatna, Pune Zillha Kamgar Sanghatna (PJKS), Bandhkam Kamgar Sanghatna, Kantrati Kamgar Sanghatna and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). They alleged ill-treatment at fair price shops (FPS). 

The protestors raised anti-Modi slogans and demanded government’s intervention to solve problems related to FPS.

They demanded a survey of households in the district to include those who have been left out from government beneficiary schemes related to PDS. They raised the issue of expensive LPG cylinder and demanded allocation of three litres of 
kerosene per household. 

Kiran Moghe of PJKS said the system of PDS is not working as expected and people are not getting required benefits. “There is need of Chavadi Vachan (public reading) while categorising ration cards so that people in need get the actual benefits,” added Moghe.

The protestors met Additional Collector Ramesh Kale and submitted their list of demands which included strict action against people running FPS if they are involved in any fraud related to PDS and ill-treatment of consumers. They said consumers are cheated at FPS as they get less grain than eligible.

Speaking on the issue Additional Collector Ramesh Kale said there are consumers who have complaints about the PDS. “I have asked the District Supply Officer to look into the issue,” added Kale.

District Supply Officer Dinesh Bhaledar could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ajit Abhyankar from CITU, Kiran Moghe from PJKS were present for the protest.

Fair price shops in Pune district
Area         Individual    Self-help groups    Cooperatives    Total   Pune rural    1,363              75                         201          1,639
Pune city      879                 75                         127          1,081
-As per government of Maharashtra data

Ration card holders
Area             Yellow            Total
Pune            1,83,189      8,66,260
rural
Pune            49,921         9,93,334
city