Serious questions have been raised on the ration distribution system in Himachal Pradesh. The investigation by the Food and Supplies Department has revealed that rations were being lifted in the name of 2188 dead consumers from the ration depots of the state for years. Not only this, irregularities have been revealed in the details of a total of 12,750 ration card consumers.
Investigation found
Many shocking facts came to light in the investigation conducted by the Food Supply Department. The investigation found that 2188 consumers were found who had died, but their names were not removed from the ration card.
Irregularities in ration card
925 consumers were found who were mentioned as the head of the family in the ration card, but their age was either less than 18 years or more than 100 years. At the same time, 7589 members were found to be “silent,” i.e., inactive in the ration card. 2048 consumers were found who are also taking rations in other states.
Ration is being distributed in the name of the dead
In the investigation of these irregularities related to ration cards, data has come out from all the districts. The maximum irregularities were found in Mandi district. In which—
Bilaspur- 857
Chamba- 49
Hamirpur- 275
Kangra- 527
Kinnaur- 1
Kullu- 199
Lahaul-Spiti- 2
Mandi- 5582
Shimla- 780
Sirmaur- 1749
Solan- 2174
Una- 555
Department’s clarification and next action
Additional Director of the Food Supply Department Surendra Rathore said that the figures that have come out in the investigation are very serious. Food Supply Controllers (DFSCs) of all the districts have been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation of 12,750 suspicious ration card consumers.
Names will be removed from the card
He clarified that the names of dead consumers will be removed from the ration card immediately. Duplicates and consumers taking rations in other states will be identified and excluded. Silent and suspicious entries will also be investigated by going door to door.
The state government is concerned about this anomaly in the distribution of rations. According to experts, this is a robbery of the poor’s rights as well as a case of fraud. The real qualified individuals would have directly suffered if the ration had been lifted in the name of deceased and fraudulent customers.
