HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Jan 2: Allegations of widespread irregularities have surfaced against a fair price shop owner in Namdang Tea Garden under the 83rd Margherita Assembly Constituency in Tinsukia district, where government rice is alleged to have been embezzled in the name of a deceased beneficiary for nearly two years.
According to allegations made by the victim’s family, the fair price shop owned by Birendra Sharma Thakur in the old line area of Namdang Tea Garden continued to draw government rice in the name of Aruna Bhumij’s deceased son. Aruna Bhumij, a resident of the area, stated that she had been receiving 20 kg of government rice regularly from the shop for many years. However, her only son passed away on June 1, 2023.
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She alleged that from July 2023 onwards, the fair price shop owner arbitrarily deducted 5 kg from her entitled 20 kg of rice every month, without any official explanation, while continuing to record the full quantity in the ration card. The deduction, she claimed, has continued for the last two years.
Aruna Bhumij further alleged that the shop owner did not inform the Food and Civil Supplies Department about her son’s death and continued to show distribution of 20 kg rice in official records. She also claimed that Birendra Sharma Thakur repeatedly threatened her not to disclose the matter, warning that her rice quota would be reduced further if she spoke out.
Meanwhile, the accused shop owner allegedly maintained records in his own register and on the ration card showing full distribution of rice, despite supplying only 15 kg. The victim alleged that the remaining rice was misappropriated.
Following the revelation, Bijay Tanti, former student leader of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) in Margherita, demanded an immediate investigation into the matter. He also called for the cancellation of the fair price shop licence of Birendra Sharma Thakur and submitted demands to Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, the Superintendent of Food and Civil Supplies Department, Margherita and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the area, especially at a time when the state government claims to be taking strict measures to curb corruption. Local residents have demanded strict action against those found guilty of depriving poor beneficiaries of their entitled food grains.
It now remains to be seen what steps the Margherita Co-District Commissioner and the Superintendent of Food and Civil Supplies Department will take against the accused fair price shop owner following the serious allegations.
