Rs 27.81 Lakh foodgrain shortage found at fair price shops in MP’s Maihar, two cases registered

The serious irregularities in distribution of foodgrain at the government fair price shops (FPS) under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Maihar district, Madhya Pradesh have come to light.

Following inspections, police have registered two separate cases for shortage of a combined amount of foodgrain worth around Rs 27.81 lakh. One suspect is in custody and an effort is being made to locate another suspect.

Police said their investigation at the fair price shop, run by Multipurpose Service Cooperative Society, Bidhui Khurd, revealed that the store has been involved in various irregularities. Shop owners Avadhesh Chaturvedi and assistant shopkeeper Deepak Chaturvedi are accused of not distributing foodgrains to beneficiaries after they took their fingerprints in the state between March and June this year.

The investigation revealed the absence of Rs 12,92,987 worth of foodgrains from the shop.

The same kinds of irregularities were found at the cooperative society’s fair price shop in Amjhar. A deficiency in the quantity of foodgrains of the total value of Rs 14,88,103 was noticed during the inspection.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 318(4) and 316(5) police case has been registered in both cases while under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 it’s Section 3/7.

In the course of the investigation Deepak Chaturvedi, 37 from Bichhiya Khurd, under Tala police station, was arrested on Saturday evening. Arresting of the other accused Avadhesh Chaturvedi is taking place as police start a search.

This was conducted by the leadership of the Mahendra Mishra (in-charge) of Tala police station. A full investigation is being conducted to determine exactly what went on and identify who is responsible,” police said.