Several cases have come to the fore here in coastal Rajnagar district where subsidised food grains under the National Food Security Act were lifted for last eight months in the ration cards issued to dead persons.
If sources are to be believed, the dead persons against whom ration cards were issued were Naban Sethy of Badapalli village, Sulochana Rout of Thakurpatana village and Chanchala Bewa of Badakota village under Koilipur panchayat of Rajnagar block.
While Naban died four years back, Sulochana and Chanchala died six years and two years back respectively. But, they were alive in the Government records. Dishonest people lifted rations in their names every month from the dealers.
The ration card bearing no- 17091011235 has been issued in the name of Nabin. Food stuffs in his name for a 10-member family were issued from Jayadeb Bal, retailer of Badapalli. Similarly, a ration card bearing no -17091011158 was issued in the name of Sulochana. But every month, subsidised food grains were issued in her ration card for eight persons from the same retailer. Another ration card bearing no-1709101003 has been issued against Chanchala, but her card was used to avail the food stuffs every month for five members from Koilipur- based retailer.
It is strange that though the trio persons died more than two years back, but ration cards have been prepared against their names and issued. later, rations were lifted every month in their cards.
The Intellectual mass alleged that it might be the handiwork of some unscrupulous officials who were entrusted for ration card inquiry.
If a person applies for obtaining ration card under NFSA, then an inquiry team visits the applicant’s house to conduct an inquiry. later, the inquiry team, consisting Anganwadi worker, Panchayat Executive Officer, BlO, and GRS cross-checks the details in the documents and inquiry report before adding a beneficiary to the final list. But given the rigorous exercise, how ration cards were issued in the names of dead persons, asked the intellectual mass.
When contacted, district Collector Debaraj Senapati stated he had directed an inquiry on the alleged matter before the local administration. He assured that after the inquiry, necessary action would be initiated.
According to Kendrapada CSO Ramnath Sahu, the Civil Supply Department has started a probe on the alleged matter and necessary action as per law would be initiated against the offenders.