Bulandshahr, October 15 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown on the ration mafia, in line with his zero tolerance policy against corruption. The government has taken strict action against officers and employees involved in corruption in public distribution system.

Strict action has been taken against those involved in black marketing of ration from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse in Bulandshahr district. All accused have been charged under Section 3/7 of the Indian Penal Code and the Essential Commodities Act of 1955.

Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Saurabh Babu, emphasized that the government is fully committed to taking action against corrupt individuals who exploit the rights of the poor.

Following a complaint received by the District Magistrate regarding ration black marketing, a high-level inquiry was initiated, led by the Additional District Magistrate (Administration).

"The investigation uncovered widespread misuse of government food grains distributed through the public distribution system, specifically within the single-stage transportation process," he added.

He said, "The inquiry identified several individuals involved in the black marketing scheme, including handling and transportation contractor Ravindra Singh, marketing inspectors Sudhir Kumar and Ankur Singh, labor mate Shivkumar (alias Shibbu), and others such as Vakil Khan, Pinky, and Pawan.

These individuals were found to be illegally diverting food grains meant for the poor to the open market. As a result, criminal cases have been filed against all of them under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Essential Commodities Act."

Given the gravity of the situation, the government formed a three-member high-level inquiry committee, chaired by the Additional Commissioner (Establishment) from headquarters. The committee conducted an on-site investigation, revealing that the single-stage doorstep delivery system and other public distribution system guidelines were not properly followed.

The failure of the concerned officers and employees to fulfill their supervisory responsibilities resulted in the misuse of government ration.

Following the inquiry, Marketing Inspector Sudhir Kumar, Supply Inspector Vivek Srivastava, and District Food Marketing Officer Zia Ahmed Karim were immediately suspended, and departmental proceedings were initiated against them. Additionally, District Supply Officer Sunil Singh faced suspension, and a departmental inquiry has commenced.

Several other officials were penalized for negligence in food distribution and improper record-keeping. Departmental actions have been initiated against Depot Incharge/Block Dispatch Incharge Shalini Pachauri, Regional Marketing Officer Indrapal Singh, and Marketing Inspectors Gaurav Kumar, Vinod Kumar Dohre, Mukesh Kumar, Rajiv Sharma, and Manoj Kumar. These officials are accused of serious lapses in the distribution of food grains and the maintenance of official records.

The firm of transport contractor Ravindra Singh, implicated in corruption, has been immediately blacklisted. This decisive action has sent shockwaves through the administrative system, prompting close monitoring of the food distribution network in the district. The District Magistrate has firmly stated that no irregularities will be tolerated, and all necessary legal measures will be pursued to ensure the strictest penalties for those responsible.