The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tirunelveli News : Cardholders lay siege to ration shop

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Cardholders lay siege to ration shop

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI, SEPT.19. Cardholders of the ration shop at Mahizhvannapuram here laid siege to the shop today after the ration shop personnel refused to give them kerosene.

Though entries for kerosene were reportedly made in the ration cards this morning, the fuel was not distributed as the shop suddenly ran out of stocks. When the shopkeeper abruptly closed the shop without distributing kerosene, the public staged a dharna in front of the shop.

Following the protest, the police and public distribution officials rushed to the spot and held talks with the agitating public, who complained to them that kerosene, earmarked for the shop, was being diverted to black markets and the cardholders could not get the fuel properly. Moreover, the measurement of rice, sugar and kerosene was also improper.

"We'll take the issue to the Collector. If no action is initiated against the erring shopkeeper, we'll continue our agitation," the public told the officials.

The protest was withdrawn after the officials assured the public of appropriate enquiry into this matter.

Meanwhile, disciplinary action, including suspension, has been initiated against some of the ration shops' personnel when the public distribution officials conducted surprise checks in the ration shops and found discrepancies in the stocks of essential commodities worth Rs.1,28,315.

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