The Allahabad High Court has directed the UP government to appoint district grievance redressal officers within a month for expeditious and effective resolution of complaints with regard to distribution of welfare benefits under the National Food Security Act.
Passing the order on April 20, a single-judge bench of Justice Surya Prakash Kesarwani also asked the state government "to develop in public interest a mechanism to fix accountability of officers and employees for wilful negligence and deliberate breach of provisions" of the Act and the UP Food Security Rules.
The court also said that alldistrict grievance redressal officers"shall notify ... The days and time for receiving complaints" and that the same, along with the prescribed maximum time for relief to be provided by the officers, "shall be displayed in Hindi at each and every fair price shop for general public".
The HC issued the directions while disposing of petitions filed by Ram Lakhan, a Dalit from Etawah, and Pancham Lal -- hailing from Bara tehsil in Allahabad district.
Both petitioners had moved the court with the complaint of non-distribution of essential commodities by fair price shops.
The court also directed the state government to ensure that for regular supervision of implementation of schemes falling under the Act, vigilance committees be "truly established and made fully functional" across UP "at the district level, block level and fair price shop level".
"The state government shall endeavour to progressively undertake necessary reforms... Including application of technology in order to ensure transparent recording of transactions at all levels and to prevent diversion/black marketing of food grains," the court said.
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