Irregularities to the tune of lakhs of rupees have come to the fore in Jajpur district. An RTI query filed by Badachana panchayat sarpanch Sushama Pradhan revealed that ghost and fake beneficiaries have been enrolled at Sasan Purushottampur in the district.
The RTI application had sought information on the Konark Jute Mill Colony Ward-2 PDS retailer where 109 BPl beneficiaries have been enrolled. The information was provided on 84 benefactors and data on other on the remaining 25 people were not given.
There have been allegations of pilferage in the Public Distribution System (PDS) supplies meant for BPl families in the area. Surprisingly, the employees of the defunct Konark Jute ltd (KJl) at Dhanmandal, who had moved out of the area opting for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), are still getting benefits of the PDS system meant for BPl and APl families.
According to Pradhan, more than one BPl and APl cards have been issued to people in the area. People from other panchayats have been enrolled in the ward. Pradhan has filed a written complaint in this regard with the district Collector.
Sasan Purushottampur Ward-2, where the Konark Jute Mill colony was set up, has many ghost beneficiaries. There are at least 42 fake BPl and as many APl ration cards in the ward. These ghost beneficiaries do not even belong to this panchayat, Pradhan said.
Of the list of 84 BPl beneficiaries, there are 42 fake ration card holders and as many ghost beneficiaries of the 60 APl card holders as they do not come under the panchayat. Besides, people are having multiple ration cards of both the categories, she alleged. The rice, kerosene supplied for BPl beneficiaries and wheat, kerosene provided for APl ration card holders are being siphoned off in the name of fake ration card holders.