Kashmir's Food Supplies Sector Under Scrutiny: Allegations of Mismanagement and Arbitrary Practices Surface in Pattan
"Fair Price Shop Owners Accuse TSO Shabir Ahmed Khan of Illegally Altering Ration Cards and Demanding Bribe, Prompting Calls for Investigation and Action"
In a shocking exposé, the food supplies sector in Pattan, Baramulla district of Kashmir, faces severe allegations of mismanagement and arbitrary practices. The Fair Price Shop Owners have accused the Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), Shabir Ahmed Khan, of tarnishing the department's image and adopting questionable procedures.
According to a complaint lodged by the Fair Price Shop Owners Association, Pattan, TSO Shabir Ahmed Khan has allegedly been changing ration cards and deactivating them illegally while altering the categories. Worse still, it is claimed that he demands a bribe of 12% for these changes, causing immense frustration and inconvenience to the Fair Price Shop Dealers.
The complaint, addressed to the Director of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Kashmir, calls for an urgent investigation into the matter, seeking immediate action against the accused TSO. Additionally, the contents of the ration cards modified by TSO Khan have been brought into question, demanding thorough scrutiny.
The disgruntled Fair Price Shop Owners Association has appealed for TSO Khan's immediate transfer to ensure smooth departmental functioning and food supply in the Pattan area. The alleged arbitrary practices and mismanagement have not only raised serious concerns about the distribution of essential food supplies but have also taken a toll on the livelihoods of the shop owners, who claim to be on the brink of closure due to the TSO's actions.
In response to the accusations, TSO Shabir Ahmad Khan has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the ration card re-verification process is underway to weed out non-deserving cardholders. He maintains that his team is diligently working towards this goal.
This is not the first time TSO Khan has faced scrutiny. A viral video last year prompted an inquiry against him by the Director of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Kashmir, leading to his temporary transfer. Despite this, he was later reinstated with an additional charge of the Pattan circle.
The seriousness of the allegations and the impact on the local community have heightened concerns about the integrity of the food supplies system in the region. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the appeals made by the Fair Price Shop Owners Association and whether an unbiased investigation will be carried out to shed light on the truth behind the allegations.
As the controversy unfolds, Kashmir's residents and the wider public anxiously await the outcome, hoping that justice will be served and any irregularities in the food supplies sector will be rectified to ensure the efficient and transparent distribution of essential commodities to those in need.
Source: The kashmiriyat
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Kashmir