In order to curb pilferage of subsidised food grains and other items distributed through thousands Public Distribution shops in the State, Food, Civic Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Saryu Roy has given a proposal to the department for annual renewal of ration cards.
Talking to media persons in a press conference here on Monday, Roy said, “I have given a proposal to the department today that just like banks that go for ‘Know Your Customer’ process to verify details of their customers an annual verification of beneficiaries should be done for ration beneficiaries. The beneficiary families just have to go to the PDS shop once in a year and verify their biometric credentials. This system will stop many irregularities.”
“This is my proposal but a policy decision needs to be taken by the Cabinet. Secondly, I have also sent a proposal for giving Rs 200 bonus to farmers on every quintal of paddy purchase by the government. This should not be a huge burden on the finances but will be a big relief for the farmers,” said Roy.
On the issue of Aam Admi Party levelling charges of irregularities in his department, the Minister said that whenever he raises some big issue related to corruption the racket of corrupt people bring some of their well-wishers and put them up against him to dilute the issue.
“This is going on since 1996 and I have gone to court three times against such people. All the three times the false people have been penalised. This time also when we have started seeking account of rice from PDS dealers these people have come up and are levelling baseless charges against me and the department,” he said.
“We have to take account of every grain of food from the dealers. No one can eat the share of the poor,” he added.