COVID-19: Bengal CM Mamata sacks Food Secretary over alleged irregularities in PDS

Upon receiving allegations from Opposition over 'irregularities' in State's Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee replaced state Food Secretary Maj Agarwal with Parvej Ahmed Siddiqui on Thursday. ditionally, she also transferred district magistrates of Darjeeling, Priya P, and West Bardhhaman, Shahshank Shethi.

Mamata asked Opposition to refrain from indulging in politics over foodgrain distribution during COVID-19 crisis and justified her move stating that Bengal Government is taking steps to ensure that ration is provided to all beneficiaries during lockdown.

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“Some households did t get a sufficient amount. ration shops concerned lacked sufficient stock and stor . I want to assure people that each of m would get foodgrain at ration shops,” Chief Minister told media after chairing a Cabinet meeting at State Secretariat.

“Though 90 per cent ration was distributed, some abrmalities were ticed. So, we have decided to change departmental secretary,” she ded.

As per sources, Mamata Banerjee was unhappy with previous food secretary as he did t follow her orders and distributed wheat inste of rice under PDS. Priya P was replaced by Ponnambalam S as new DM of Darjeeling. Government also replaced Bardhhaman DM Shashank Shethi with Purnendu Majhi.

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Sweet shops to remain open for 8 hours 

In a controversial move, West Bengal government extended  window for sweet shops to remain open for eight hours w, amid Coronavirus lockdown. Earlier in day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that sweet shops will be allowed to operate from 8 am to 4 pm every day as opposed to government's earlier allowance of shops to operate for four hours from 12 on to 4 pm.

Bengal has so far reported 231 confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which 42 patients have recovered while seven have died due to infection. Kolkata, Howrah, Medinipur East, and rth 24 Pargana are major hotspot districts in State with large outbreaks, according to Union Health Ministry.

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