PDS DEALERS TO WEIGH GRAIN AT  SALES POINTS

PDS DEALERS TO WEIGH GRAIN AT  SALES POINTS

13-OCT-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------A meeting of the Fair Price Dealers' Association was held on Monday at the library building in Bihia block. During the meeting, it was decided that, starting in November, all Public Distribution System (PDS) shopkeepers would accept food grains only after weighing them at their respective sales points. The shopkeepers raised issues regarding receiving less grain than the stipulated quantity from the Bihia TPDS warehouse, alleged forced extortion under the guise of handling charges (*paldari*), and delays in the payment of pending margin money. Demands were made to resolve warehouse-related issues and ensure transparency in the weighing of food grains.

The meeting was presided over by the association's district president, Nandkumar Ojha, while Shardanand Singh conducted the proceedings. All PDS shopkeepers from Bihia block participated. There was a detailed discussion regarding the payment of long-pending margin money; the shopkeepers stated that they were facing difficulties due to the lack of timely payment. They demanded that the concerned officials ensure the prompt payment of outstanding dues.

A major issue raised during the meeting was the receipt of food grains in quantities less than the prescribed amount from the Bihiya TPDS warehouse. Shopkeepers alleged irregularities in the weighing of food grains at the warehouse. They stated that while a single sack is reported to weigh between 53 and 54 kilograms, the combined weight of two sacks is recorded as 104 to 108 kilograms; however, upon re-weighing at the point of sale, the actual weight is found to be lower. Citing this discrepancy, the shopkeepers demanded an impartial inquiry and the provision of the full, prescribed quantity of grain.

Allegations were also raised regarding the alleged forced collection of handling charges (*paldari*) by the DST and demands for money under the guise of unloading charges by the transporter. Questioning the working style of the warehouse manager and the DST, the shopkeepers asserted that the food grain distribution process must be transparent. They demanded a halt to the alleged illegal collections and a resolution to warehouse-related issues.

It was also decided during the meeting that if the grain received is of poor quality or falls short of the prescribed weight, it will not be entered into the system (recorded on the machine). The shopkeepers maintained that the grain should be accepted only after its quality and weight have been verified.

A unanimous decision was reached that, starting in November, all PDS shopkeepers would weigh the food grains upon receipt at their points of sale to clarify any weight discrepancies. Additionally, they reiterated their demand for the prompt payment of outstanding margin money and the resolution of warehouse-related problems. Dozens of PDS shopkeepers, including Shardanand Singh, Rahul Kumar, Nagina Prasad, Kundan Ojha, Vijay Singh, Rambabu Prasad, Munalal, Umesh Yadav, Shekhar Singh, and Sachchidanand Ram, were present at the meeting.