Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Tuesday accused Food Commissioner Mohanjeet Singh of “disobeying” Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal’s order and issuing direction for the continuation of electronic point of sale (e-PoS) system of ration distribution.
Mr. Baijal had on April 16 directed suspension of e-POS after irregularities were found. But, according to the Minister, the new Food Commissioner had issued orders for continuing it, Mr. Hussain said at a press conference.
“The new Food Commissioner has questioned the L-G’s discretion by not obeying his order and saying e-PoS will continue,” Mr. Hussain said. He further said that a letter of the Food Commissioner, dated April 20, was received by him through Chief Secretary, stating that e-PoS would continue.
‘Bent-on’
He also alleged that the Food Commissioner was “bent on” the cancellation of three lakh ration cards without proper verification.
Mr. Baijal had, on April 16, ordered the Anti-Corruption Branch to investigate the alleged misuse of OTP authentication in delivery of ration.
Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Mr. Hussain had demanded him to scrap the system under which beneficiaries were given ration after biometric identification.
Mr. Singh was made new Food Commissioner replacing K.R. Meena who was transferred by the L-G. Mr. Meena was under fire from AAP dispensation over alleged irregularities in ration distribution.
Mr. Hussain said that the move to cancel three lakh ration cards was “against natural justice” since no notices were served or any survey was done to verify the authenticity of card holders.
“It may be an attempt to save the previous food commissioner,” the Minister alleged as he attacked Mr. Singh saying that the move to cancel three lakh ration card was an “anarchic” decision.
“He is spreading anarchy. Decisions are being taken behind closed doors. I had ordered for stopping cancellation of the ration cards but today he rejected it and directed for issuing new ration cards. There should be an enquiry against those who were involved in preparing fake ration cards,” he demanded.
The Minister also charged Mr. Baijal with giving a long rope to officials and added that they should be “restrained” by the L-G.
