Congress Accuses BJP of Manipulating PDS, Demands High-Level Probe in Rajnandgaon
Published on: 04 September, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Alleging widespread corruption and illegal allocation of ration shops, the North Block Congress Committee, led by its president Asif Ali, staged a protest against the Food Department on Wednesday. The Congress delegation submitted a memorandum addressed to the District Collector through the Additional District Magistrate (ADM), demanding a high-level investigation and strict action against those responsible.
Speaking to the media, Asif Ali charged that large-scale irregularities have plagued the Public Distribution System (PDS) across Rajnandgaon city and the district. He alleged that the PDS Control Order 2016 has been openly violated, with ration shops being allotted under the influence of BJP leaders rather than through transparent procedures.
The controversy has particularly deepened around the ration shop in Stationpara Ward No. 11 (ID No. 421001008). Previously operated by the Jan Kalyan Food Security, Nutrition and Consumer Committee, the shop has now reportedly been handed over to the Lakshmi Narayan Self-Help Group under alleged political pressure.
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According to Asif Ali, the Lakshmi Narayan Self-Help Group is neither local nor selected through a transparent process. He claimed that local women’s self-help groups had already applied for the shop allocation, but their applications were ignored in favor of groups backed by financial transactions. “This is not only a betrayal of local women’s groups but also a clear case of corruption in the name of public welfare,” Ali remarked.
Congress leaders warned that if immediate action is not taken and corruption is not curbed, the party will be forced to take to the streets in protest. “This matter directly affects the people, and BJP’s involvement is evident,” Ali stated, calling the issue a “direct attack on public rights.”
The memorandum submission was attended by a large number of residents along with Congress representatives, including IT Cell City President Mayank Soni, Dheeraj Ramteke, Monish Sahu, and Jitendra Sahu. Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, ADM C.L. Markandey has ordered an immediate inquiry into the matter.
