Ration shops sell wheat at double the price

Hyderabad: Wheat is being sold for double rate at fair price or ration shops in few parts of the city. Few ration shop dealers are collecting more than the subsidy prices on PDS items than the rate decided by government.

The actual price of kilo wheat is Rs 7 and the same wheat is being sold at Rs 8-15 per kg to the Food Security Card (FSC) beneficiaries.

There are also few dealers who are forcing the beneficiaries to buy non-PDS items to earn more income alleging that they are getting insufficient commission from the government.

Kethamma, a beneficiary from Malkajgiri area said that she has been shelling out Rs 12 per kilogram of wheat and this is the lowest rate in the nearby area.

'Also we are being compelled to buy non-PDS items from the dealer. Though dealers sell it for MRP rates we have to buy them even if we don't need them.

An official said they are conducting raids at fair price shops as soon as they get complaints from the public through toll free number and imposing penalties and suspending the licence from six months to one year depending upon the nature of the complaint.

The official also suggested the public to complain on the irregularities when they come across at their ration shops.

Usha Rani, In-charge Chief Rationing Officer said that it has been decided to sell wheat at Rs 7 per kg, and if any dealer is selling it for more than subsidised price, our District Civil Supplies Officer (DCSO) will deploy their staff to inspect and if any dealer found guilty necessary action will be taken against the erring dealer on the spot.

Rehman Khan and Ravi Kumar of Anandbagh area said that their dealers do not mention any rates on the board and due to lack of knowledge about PDS item rates we have been buying at the rates as quoted by the dealer.

"Our ration shop dealer doesn't give any bill mentioning the items list and its prices. Instead he gives a small piece of paper on which he writes the sum of total amount that should be paid to him.

Wheat had been sold at Rs 15 a kg in the past and now its Rs 12. Also the dealer asks the customers to buy as much as they can but at the rate quoted by the dealer.

Also the customers are compelled to buy non-PDS items and if we reject those items the dealer frets and fumes, alleging the commission paid by the government is insufficient and they are finding difficult to pay even the shop rent, said Sharada, a beneficiary.

Kumari, a beneficiary from Qutbullapur area said she is being compelled to buy non-PDS items as demanded by her FPS dealer and also said that wheat is being sold at Rs 8 per kilogram in their nearby area fair price shops.

Though the government is providing Public Distribution System (PDS) items for low cost for the benefit of poor people, few dealers are fleecing the customers with their unfair practices.