DERGAON, April 9 - At a time when the whole State is reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic, a cooperative secretary has been picked up for alleged involvement in illegal distribution of rice under Public Distribution System (PDS) in upper Assam� Golaghat district on Thursday.
The secretary of Dakhinhengera Cooperative Society under Golaghat police station Bodheswar Bora was picked up by the police as he allegedly issued ration cards to 27 ineligible beneficiaries.
Though these beneficiaries who are above poverty line (APL), returned the ration cards issued to them but the society used these cards to issue rice under reduced prices or without price.
Finally on allegations made by some residents, the secretary was picked up by the police and interrogation is on.
The Superintendent of Police Golaghat Pushpraj Singh told this correspondent that interrogation was on and some anomalies might be unearthed on interrogation.
Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia said that some cooperative societies were doing illegal trade with the PDS materials. �The corrupt persons should be punished,� he said.
Food and Civil Supplies department suspended 5 cooperative agents for alleged illegal practices.
On receiving the complaint from residents and based on the findings of the departmental inquiry committee, Deputy Commissioner Bibhash Ch Modi directed the Supply department to suspend the agents with immediate effect.
The DIPRO in-charge Papu Gogoi informed that Gangaram Bhuyan, Nomal Das, Joychandra Das, Kangkana Bora under Uttar Marangi Cooperative Society and Nilakanta Bora of Brahmaputra Cooperative Society Limited have been suspended.
