MARGAO: The efficient functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Goa is under scrutiny as revelations surface that approximately 20 to 25 fair price shop (FPS) owners are operating in ‘offline mode’, bypassing the mandated use of Point of Sale (POS) devices.
There are around 400 FPS in Goa, and POS devices were introduced to bring transparency and accountability to the distribution system. The alleged engagement of some FPS owners in offline operation a cause for concern, as it poses the risk of pilferage and illegal distribution of food grains.
However, the 25 fair price shop (FPS) owners operating offline may be doing so out of necessity and blame their non-compliance on faulty Point of Sale (POS) devices and other technical issues. They allege that these concerns have not been addressed or rectified by the responsible Department, forcing the FPS owners to resort to offline methods for the distribution of food grains. Gandhi Henriques, the General Secretary of the All-Goa Consumer Co-operative Society and Fair Price Shop Owners Association, acknowledged the existence of offline POS devices among fair price shop owners.
Some fair price shop owners, adhering to regulations but suffering financial losses, claim that despite authorities being aware of certain FPS owners not using POS machines, no action is being initiated. “It has been observed that the sale of those not using POS machines is more as compared to the others. The difference is almost 30 to 40 percent. We have even noticed that those not using POS machines are engaged in selling the food grains directly in the open market at the rate of Rs 25 per kg,” a law-abiding fair price shop owner from Salcete told
O Heraldo. Jayant Tari, holding additional charge of the Director of Civil Supplies Department, refuted these claims, stating that offline transition without using the POS device is not possible.
“We will initiate strict action if any FPS owner is found not using a POS device or engaged in selling the food grains in the open market. The Department will even cancel the licence issued to them,” said Tari.
Shockingly, a group of fair price shop owners voiced concerns that some are enjoying benefits at the expense of those who follow the rules diligently. It has been observed that the sale of those not using POS machines reportedly exceeds that of compliant shops, indicating a potential misuse of the system.
In a recent incident, the Department fined fair price shops in Vasco Rs 31,000 to for failure to produce records and transactions related to the sale of food grains. However, concerns arise as few fair price shop owners reportedly faced no consequences despite not using POS machines and maintaining proper records.
Sources suggest that approximately 20 to 25 fair price shops in the State, including four or five in Salcete taluka, are operating offline
