Irregularities in the NFSA beneficiary list are fast snowballing into a major controversy with the names of ineligible elected people’s representatives cropping up in this connection almost on a daily basis.
In the latest such revelation, Balliguda (Kandhamal district) MlA Rajiv Patra’s wife litangini’s name has surfaced in the ration card list of Block 1632. Rajiv Patra is a resident Nuasahi of Tumudibandha block under Mundiguda Panchayat.
“My wife had applied for a ration card based on the earlier eligibility criteria. However, we later withdrew the name. We have not received the ration card, and I have no clue how her name is still in the list,” Patra told media.
In another instance, Gop Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Sabita Swain’s name has also surfaced in a draft list of beneficiaries for ration cards.
A complaint has also been brought against Anandpur Municipality Chairperson Saraswati Jena for allegedly receiving a ration card.
Inquiries have also revealed that ration cards have been issued against four corporators of the Brahmapur Municipal Corporation. Besides, Bhadrak Panchayat Samiti Chairman Chandrakanti Mallick also hold ration cards in their names.
Meanwhile, Kendrapada district Collector Debaraj Senapati suspended three employees of the Kendrapada Municipality on the charges of dereliction of duties in card preparation.
Community organiser Suchismita Jena, Work charge employee Srikant Barik Tax Collector Gokula Chandra Das were entrusted for desk review and field verification of ration cards in ward no 18 and 19. But the officials were found guilty in discharging their duty, said ADM Sasadhar Nayak.
Further, show-cause notices were issued against three Anganwadi workers Susmita Sethy, Debajani Swain and Sitara Khanam also for their negligence. They were working at different centres within the the township.
Ration cards were issued in the name of Municipality Vice-Chairperson Jayanti lenka, counciliors of Ward no 6 Chandini Sethy, Bahali Tudu (21) and in favour of the wife of Muktar Khan of ward no 15.
ADM Sasadhr Nayak said, “There is no guideline that a councillor cannot apply for ration card under NFSA despite the fact that the councillor should meet the prescribed guidelines fixed by the Government.”
“With regard to Municipality V-C Jayanti lenka it was found that she is a disabled person. As per the norms disabled person will get NFSA benefits. But all the names of her family were found in the ration card,” said Nayak.
The two other councillors, Chandini Sethy and Bahali Tudu claimed that they have received cards as per norms.
In Puri too, many BJD leaders and their near and dear ones have ration cards in their names. The district units of the Congress and the BJP have initiated a scathing attack on them.
While names of Sabita Patra, wife of Puri Zilla Parishad president Dibakar Patra, and vice president Sakhimani Baral figured in the ration card list, Chairpersons of Nimapara and Gop blocks, Sumitra Sahu and Sabita Swain, respectively, have already been issued ration cards. This apart, two Sarpanches, Sabita Mahapatra of Biraharekrushnapur GP and Sukanti Swain of Bantaligram GP, have been issued ration cards.
According to sources, five Councilors the Puri Municipality, including four belonging to BJD, have their names in the list. They are Sabita Mishra of Ward-12, Satyabhama Sethi of Ward-31, Chakala Chiranjibi of Ward-32, Pratima Dash of Ward-5, all of the BJD, and Anju Pradhan (non-BJD) of Ward-9. Besides, six more BJD Cuncilors have applied for the card.
Meanwhile, 147 persons have applied to strike out their names from the list.