Ration shops in Seemapuri sealed after surprise checks

The Delhi government on Thursday ordered the sealing of a ration shop in north-east Delhi’s Seemapuri area after it was found closed during a surprise inspection conducted by Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain.

Hussain, on Thursday, visited five Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the area to check if they were complying with the guidelines and norms that have to be followed by FPS dealers when they deliver Specified Food Articles (SFAs) to ration card holders. The minister found several deficiencies in the functioning of the FPS.

“During the inspection of Circle Offices at Rohtash Nagar, Seelampur and Babarpur, no Food & Supply Officer (FSO) and Food & Supply Inspector (FSI) were found in the Circle Offices. The Minister has directed Commissioner (FCS) to conduct an urgent inquiry into the matter. Several other irregularities were also noticed during the inspection,” the government said in its statement.

An official said that ration shops were required to remain open from 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm daily with a weekly off, in accordance with the existing orders of the government.

“Out of five fair price shops (FPS) (ration shops), one was found closed during the minister’s inspection. Also, a number of ration cards were found returned undelivered in circle offices,” the statement stated.