Over 3500 ration cards unclaimed!
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 12
The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has detected over 3500 unclaimed ration cards after a thorough check following a Supreme Court directive to take stock of bogus ration cards in circulation.
Speaking to Herald, Director of Civil Supplies Gurudas Pilarnkar said inspectors have been directed to deposit unclaimed ration cards with the department in Panjim.
In 2007-2008 the department issued new ration cards, which were issued only against the signature of the card holder to ensure that the same reaches genuine card holders.
But two-and-a-half years later it has been found that over 3500 ration cards have not been claimed.
A large number of ration cards has remained unclaimed from talukas of Salcete (1185), Ponda (800), Tiswadi (480) and Sattari (278).
According to the department, there are 3,54,000 ration card holders in the State these include Above Poverty Line (APL) 330132, Below Poverty Line (BPL) 12909, Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) 14517 and Annapurna (ANP) 389.
Bogus ration cards: While the department is yet to arrive at a conclusive number of total bogus ration cards in circulation, the director hinted that the number of such cards in circulation could be fairly large.
Taluka inspectors have been directed today to conduct at least five inspections this month to trace bogus ration cards in circulation and to report to the department by month- end, Pilarnkar said.
