Uttar Pradesh: Human Rights defender Brij Lal is facing death threat

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Brij Lal, a Human Rights defender of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights and fellow of Dalit Foundation is resident of village Gohilawn block Bhadohi in district Sant Ravidas Nager (Bhadohi) of Uttar Pradesh In India.


Since last three months (January to March 2008) PDS Shopkeeper Mithlesh Kumar Srivastava of Gohilawn village is not distributing ration, Sugar and kerosene to 22 Dalit families having Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards and BPL cards. This is a crime under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and to stop black marketing or holding of ration Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act established in 1980.


On 25th February, 2008 Villagers united and gave a letter to Sub Divisional Magistrate, on 29th February, 2008 to District supply officer and on 1st March, 2008 to District Magistrate of Bhadohi for further action but till no action was taken by the authorities.

On 4th March 2008 villagers gave their demand letter to District Magistrate and SSP. District Magistrate R.S. Dubey immediately ordered District Supply Officer to investigate and take necessary action. On 7th March, 2008 District Supply Officer (D.S.O.) suspend Gohilawn PDS shop and it was merge with nearest PDS shop at Arjunpur village.


Report of D.S.O.:


On tehsil day i.e. 4th March, 2008 Sri Brij Lal and other residents of village Gohilgaon Block - Bhadohi Tehsil – Aurai registered their complaint. On that basis of it investigation with cardholders having AAY and BPL cards was done. After investigation given below serious irregularity were highlighted.

Antodaya Anna Yojana Scheme:

1. Smt. Ramni Vanvasi card no. 7761 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, December 2007and February 2008 and it is not mentioned in ration card. Ration of January month is mentioned. In the month of January ration is mentioned in the card but she did not receive it.

2. Sri Jimmal Chamar card no. 7778 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 but it is mentioned in the ration card. He did not receive ration of February month and nor it is mentioned.

3. Sri Brij Lal card no. 7781 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 and February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

4. Sri Sobha Vanvasi card no. 7765 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, December 2007 and January 2007 but it is mentioned in the ration card. But in the month of February 2008 he did not get ration nor it is mentioned in the card.

5. Sri Mangru card no. 7785 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 but it is mentioned in the ration card. In the month of February 2008 he did not receive ration nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

6. Sri Rajendra card no. 7771 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, January 2008 and February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

7. Sri Indrajeet Vanvasi card no. 7759 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

8. Sri Gogai Vanvasi card no. 7782 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 but it is mentioned in the ration card. In the month of February 2008 he did not receive ration nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

9. Sri Fagu Ram card no. 7764 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, January and February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

10. Sri Babu Lal card no. 7780 did not receive ration in the month of January 2008 but it is mentioned in the ration card. In the month of February 2008 he did not receive ration nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

11. Sri Kallu Ram card no. 7763 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, January 2008 and February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

12. Sri Mithai Lal card no. 7987 did not receive ration in the month of August 2007, January and February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

B.P.L Scheme:

1. Sri Panna La card no. 21527 did not receive ration in the month of August 2007 to February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

2. Sri Bhola Nath card no. 21639 did not receive ration in the month of November 2007, December 2007 and February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

3. Sri Ghan Shyam card no. 21519 did not receive ration from August to February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card.

4. Sri Rama Shanker card no. 21669 did not receive ration from August to December 2007 and February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card. In month of January 2008 it is mentioned in the ration card but he did not get it.

5. Sri Pramod card no. 21524 did not receive ration in the month of August 2007, December 2007 and February 2008 nor it is mentioned in the ration card. In month of January 2008 it is mentioned in the ration card but he did not get it.

6. Smt. Mangari Devi card no. 21609 did not receive in the month of August 2007 to December 2007 and February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card. In month of January 2008 it is mentioned in the ration card but he did not get it.

7. Sri Meva Lal card no. 21666 did not receive ration in the month of August 2007 to December 2007 and February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in the ration card. In month of January 2008 it is mentioned in the ration card but he did not get it.

8. Sri Tuntun card no. 21608 did not receive ration from month August 2007 to February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in ration card.

9. Sri Bhagwan did not receive ration from month July 2007 to February 2008 and nor it is mentioned in ration card.


In spite the above mentioned PDS shopkeeper’s irregularities found in distribution of kerosene. It is distributed at the rate of 12 Rupees per liter if ever done so. Sugar is never distributed from the PDS shop. Instead of 10 k.g wheat and 25 k.g. of rice 8 k.g. of wheat and 24 k.g. of rice is distributed by PDS shopkeeper and they pay more money then it is due. PDS Shopkeeper Mithlesh Kumar did serious irregularity in distribution of ration (wheat, sugar and kerosene) under Antodaya and B.P.L Scheme and charged more money then the scheduled items which is violation under PDS control order 2001, U.P scheduled commodities distribution order 2004 and contract letter. Which results immediate suspention of Sri Mithlesh Kumar Srivastava PDS Shopkeeper and direct him to submit his explanation with evidence on 20th March, 2008 at any condition may reach to the office of under signed. Otherwise one-sided decision will be proceed.


After sustained pressure D.S.O Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ojha on 26th March, 2008 gave him duplicate copy of investigation report to Brij Lal. The D.S.O in connivance with PDS shopkeeper said it is a rule to receive ration from date 23 to 30 of every month. If this duration finishes then villagers will not be liable to receive the ration.


PDS Shopkeeper Mithlesh Kumar Srivastava and his colleagues are regularly threatening Brij Lal for his life and kidnapping his children, wife. They took Brij Lal’s neighbour on their side and he is regularly doing mental torture of Brij Lal and his family. Therefore I urge the State Government to intervene in the case to save the life of Brij Lal and his family and direct and to conduct a thorough enquiry into the circumstance of non-distribution of ration of three months and PDS shopkeeper should give details about three months’ ration.