It’s happening because of mismanagement: Taj Mohi-u-Din
SRINAGAR: Despite arrival of thousands of trucks loaded with essential commodities, people in Kashmir valley, particularly the far flung areas, continue to face acute shortage of food items.
Due to reasons better known to Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) officials, ration, sugar and other items are not being distributed at depots, a local news agency, CNS reports.
Locals allege the stock was being supplied to “some blue-eyed persons” and top administrative officials.
“I myself saw a CAPD official unloading huge quantity of sugar at DC office Srinagar in his private vehicle (JK01T-765). I was told that the sugar sacks were meant for a top bureaucrat. Even Assistant Director, CAPD, city, confirmed this, but he said that only 50 kilograms of sugar were supplied to the bureaucrat,” said Imtiyaz Ahmed, a resident of Norrbagh area in Srinagar.
Interestingly, majority of the CAPD-run depots in remote areas of the valley have been empty for the past two months, the agency reports. This has forced people to purchase rice, flour and sugar from the open market.
People said the government, “instead of trotting out statistics”, should try to reach out to people and take special measures for solution of this grave problem.
The situation is the same in areas like Pakharpora in Budgam, Daradpora in Kupwara and Ladura in Rafiabad.
It is the same also in Srinagar city and areaslike Budshah Nagar, Natipora, Malroo, Mehjoor Nagar, Nowgam and down town, besides the civil lines.
“Ration and other food items are available with the department but ironically it is not being allocated and distributed. Influential persons approach top officials of CAPD and get ration, sugar, flour and other items from them,” alleged a resident of Rambagh Srinagar.
Former CAPD Minister and senior Congress leader, Taj Mohi-u-Din told the CNS agency that it was all happening because of mismanagement.
“The allocation is same and the ration cards are same but it is only mismanagement which leaves people fuming. During my tenure as Minister for CAPD, I used to provide 11 kg rice and 2 kg flour but the currently the department is not able to give 4 kilograms of rice to people,” Taj said.
Despite repeated attempts, the incumbent, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, could not be contacted.
