NHRC issues notice to the Chief Secretary, Bihar as well as Secretary, Food and Consumer Protection Department, Patna
New Delhi 4th January 2009
The National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Bihar and to the Secretary, Deptt. Of Food and Consumer Protection, Patna to submit the status report within four weeks from the receipt of the notice on the remedial steps taken by the State of Bihar in curtailing/curbing the black marketing of food articles and kerosene which are meant for the persons who are living below poverty line under the Antodaya and Poshahar Yojana.
The Commission took the cognizance on the complaint made by Kush Kumar Singh, President of Shiv Sena Asthawa, Block Nalanda, Bihar alleging that in Sub-Division of Nalanda District, the Block Development Officer and the Circle Officer have been black marketing the food articles and kerosene which are meant for the persons who are living below the poverty line under the Antodaya and Poshahar Yojana of the Govt. Number of persons have been died due to starvation. The Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Bihar and D.M. District Nalanda calling for a report.
In response to the above notices, a reply dated 22/6/2005 has been received from Under Secretary, Home, Govt. of Bihar informing that the matter was got inquired into from Block Development Officer, Asthawa and Circle Officer. The report revealed that persons who have died are not due to starvation but due to illness. The Commission considered the response on 5/1/2007 and directed that a copy of the report be sent to the complainant for his comments. However, the complainant has reiterated allegations contained in the complaint. The Commission again took up this matter on 30/3/2007 and directed the Chief Secretary, Bihar to hold a fresh inquiry through the senior official and submit the report in four weeks. The Secretary, Food and Consumer Protection Department had stated that Shri Suresh kumar Verma, Joint Secretary to the Govt. of Bihar had inquired into the complaint. During the inquiry the following came to light and remedial steps were taken:
1. Two persons namely Shri Doman Ram and Shri Rajaram did not die due to starvation. Both were died about 3-4 years back. Orders for grant of Samajik Surksha Pension to wife of late Rajaram Paswan were given to Anchal Sah Prakhand Padadhikari.
2. Allegations of improper distribution of food to the beneficiaries by PDS Shop owners under the jurisdiction of Aaonda Panchayat were substantiated. Anumandal Padadhikari has been directed to conduct inquiry, take action against negligent shop keepers and sent proposal for suspension of negligent public servants. Annumandal adhikari has been directed to take steps for allotment of that shop to some respectable/competent person in Aaonda Panchayat ( Ravi Das Paschim Tola)
3. Prakhand Vikas Padadhikari has been directed to organize special camps and ensure issue of cards to the beneficiears under NAREGA Scheme in areas falling under Aaonda Panchayat (Ravidas Paschim Tola and near by areas of other Panchayats.
4. Panchayat Sewak has been directed to establish Poshahar Kendra in Aaonda Panchyat.
5. Savayam Sehta Group under the Aaonda Panchayat has not been provided with Revolving Fund. Orders have been issued to Prakhand Vikas Padadhikari, Asthawa to inquire into the matter and ensure Revolving Fund is provided to the Savayam Sehta Group.
The Commission perused the report and appreciated the steps taken by the State of Bihar in curbing the black marketing of food articles etc. meant for people who are living below the poverty line.
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The National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Bihar and to the Secretary, Deptt. Of Food and Consumer Protection, Patna to submit the status report within four weeks from the receipt of the notice on the remedial steps taken by the State of Bihar in curtailing/curbing the black marketing of food articles and kerosene which are meant for the persons who are living below poverty line under the Antodaya and Poshahar Yojana.
The Commission took the cognizance on the complaint made by Kush Kumar Singh, President of Shiv Sena Asthawa, Block Nalanda, Bihar alleging that in Sub-Division of Nalanda District, the Block Development Officer and the Circle Officer have been black marketing the food articles and kerosene which are meant for the persons who are living below the poverty line under the Antodaya and Poshahar Yojana of the Govt. Number of persons have been died due to starvation. The Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Bihar and D.M. District Nalanda calling for a report.
In response to the above notices, a reply dated 22/6/2005 has been received from Under Secretary, Home, Govt. of Bihar informing that the matter was got inquired into from Block Development Officer, Asthawa and Circle Officer. The report revealed that persons who have died are not due to starvation but due to illness. The Commission considered the response on 5/1/2007 and directed that a copy of the report be sent to the complainant for his comments. However, the complainant has reiterated allegations contained in the complaint. The Commission again took up this matter on 30/3/2007 and directed the Chief Secretary, Bihar to hold a fresh inquiry through the senior official and submit the report in four weeks. The Secretary, Food and Consumer Protection Department had stated that Shri Suresh kumar Verma, Joint Secretary to the Govt. of Bihar had inquired into the complaint. During the inquiry the following came to light and remedial steps were taken:
1. Two persons namely Shri Doman Ram and Shri Rajaram did not die due to starvation. Both were died about 3-4 years back. Orders for grant of Samajik Surksha Pension to wife of late Rajaram Paswan were given to Anchal Sah Prakhand Padadhikari.
2. Allegations of improper distribution of food to the beneficiaries by PDS Shop owners under the jurisdiction of Aaonda Panchayat were substantiated. Anumandal Padadhikari has been directed to conduct inquiry, take action against negligent shop keepers and sent proposal for suspension of negligent public servants. Annumandal adhikari has been directed to take steps for allotment of that shop to some respectable/competent person in Aaonda Panchayat ( Ravi Das Paschim Tola)
3. Prakhand Vikas Padadhikari has been directed to organize special camps and ensure issue of cards to the beneficiears under NAREGA Scheme in areas falling under Aaonda Panchayat (Ravidas Paschim Tola and near by areas of other Panchayats.
4. Panchayat Sewak has been directed to establish Poshahar Kendra in Aaonda Panchyat.
5. Savayam Sehta Group under the Aaonda Panchayat has not been provided with Revolving Fund. Orders have been issued to Prakhand Vikas Padadhikari, Asthawa to inquire into the matter and ensure Revolving Fund is provided to the Savayam Sehta Group.
The Commission perused the report and appreciated the steps taken by the State of Bihar in curbing the black marketing of food articles etc. meant for people who are living below the poverty line.
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