Verify then stop ration to 4 lakh beneficiaries: Food min

NEWDELHI: Delhi food supplies and consumer affairs minister Imran Hussain on Sunday directed food commissioner Mohanjeet Singh to restore ration to around four lakh beneficiaries who did not avail subsidised foodgrains from January to March.

The minister’s written directions were issued within days of Singh’s order to stop supply of ration to around 4 lakh beneficiaries, who did not avail it for three consecutive months from January to March 2018.

Last week, the commissioner had ordered that such card holders would not be entitled to ration till their verification is conducted by food and supply officers (FSOS).

In his letter to the food commissioner, Hussain said the department should have verified the ration card holders and then cancel or stop their ration supply. The minister also said that if there is any fraud in the number of ration card users, the anti corruption branch (ACB) should be informed. Hussain said this is also what the Delhi Lieutenant Governor had earlier directed.

In his letter, Hussain wrote, “.....However, strangely t he department has taken a reverse course...despite the fact that chief minister directed that no hasty action should be taken and these cards should not be cancelled without proper verification. I am surprised to see that the food commissioner has gone ahead and stopped the ration of these beneficiaries.”

Many calls and messages to food commissioner Singh went unanswered.

Instead of blocking ration sup- plies to the four lakh beneficiaries, the minister directed him to instead immediately stop ration on cards, which were fake and on which investigation has been ordered by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

Asking Singh to initiate verification of all those ration card holders who did not turn up during January to March 2018, Hussain said, “If during the verification any card is found to be fake, only then the card should be cancelled. They should be given an opportunity to explain.”

The minister said he found many beneficiaries failed to avail their monthly ration despite visiting fair price shops either because the e-pos machines were not working or biometric identification failed due to soiled hands. He added that it would be unfair to deny the people ration for no fault of theirs.