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PDS: officials stick to decision

BERHAMPUR: Despite opposition of the licensed Public Distribution System (PDS) retailers, the Ganjam district administration has decided to stick to its decision to hand over PDS licences to Women Self-Help Groups (WSHG) and panchayat bodies.

Around 1,500 private licence holders for PDS distribution in Ganjam district has reached district headquarters Chatrapur on Wednesday to show up their opposition to the recent decision of the administration. They alleged that this decision of the administration would snatch away their source of livelihood and employment opportunity. They had also met the District Collector and handed him memorandum.

They also asked the State government to bring in changes in the new Civil Supplies Act, which recommends exclusive distribution right in the hands of panchayat bodies and institutions like WSHGs.

According to the in-charge civil supplies officer of Ganjam district, Satyaranjan Sahu, they have not yet cancelled any PDS retail licence of any private license holder in the district. But as per the new norms of PDS distribution spelled out by the State government it would be handed over to institutions rather than private persons in a phased manner. As per the changed norms, first priority would be given to the WSHG of any area while providing licence for PDS distribution. The panchayat bodies and local cooperative units would be the next in the priority list. This step has been taken to reduce misappropriation of subsidised materials distributed through the PDS.

The agitating licensed PDS retailers were also shown the recently declared norms of PDS distribution by the administrative officials.

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