Delhi L-G clears vigilance panels at fair price shops, expresses ‘grave concern’ over 8-year delay

“…it is a matter of grave concern that the proposal for constitution of Vigilance Committees at FPS level mooted by the F&S (Food and Supplies) Department in 2018 has been finalised now…” the L-G is learnt to have said in a note related to the proposal.

According to L-G House officials, the file had reached Saxena on March 27 prior to which it was pending with the Food and Civil Supplies department for around eight months. These committees were first proposed by the department in 2017 and put up before F&S Minister Imran Hussain on eight different occasions since. The Delhi government did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Referring to the file movement related to the proposal, the L-G observed that it had been “oscillating between different desks with no decision taken”. On one occasion, Saxena stated, the file had been pending with Hussain from December 28, 2021, to September 7, 2022.

“It clearly demonstrates that constitution of Vigilance Committee at FPS level as mandated by the National Food Security Act, 2013 to ensure transparency in public distribution system which directly affects the common man has been dealt in a very lackadaisical manner,” Saxena noted.