New Delhi: Wondering how a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holder was given a licence for a fair price shop, the Delhi High Court ordered a departmental inquiry against the officers who issued him the card, and cancelled the allotment of the shop.
Justice Manmohan, in the March 7 order, said the essential eligibility criteria stipulated that an applicant had to be financially sound for allotment of a Public Distribution System (PDS) outlet, which “a BPL card holder cannot be”.
“Certainly, if the state has a scheme or reservation for the economically weaker sections or for the educated unemployed, then a BPL card holder can be considered for allotment. But as long as the essential eligibility criteria stipulate that an applicant has to be financially sound for allotment of a PDS outlet, this court is of the view that a BPL card holder cannot be considered for allotment of a fair price shop licence,” the court said.
The court expressed amazement that the man had obtained a BPL card and, after a few days, declared himself financially sound without surrendering the BPL card.
“Consequently, this court directs the chief secretary of Delhi government to appoint a relatively senior officer to conduct a departmental inquiry against the officials who took the decision to allot the BPL card and fair price shop in question. If any official is found to be negligent or remiss in his duty, a suitable entry in his service record is directed to be made,” said the court.
The court was hearing a plea filed by one Poonam, who had applied for a fair price shop but was unsuccessful. The plea was filed against the Delhi government, department of food and supplies, and the man allotted the shop despite being a BPL card holder.
The petitioner told the court that allotment of a fair price shop to the man having a BPL card is violative of a rule of the Delhi Specified Articles (Regulation of Distribution) Order, 1981.
IANS
