Bogus ration cards: Probe panel blames it on political interference

GUWAHATI: The Justice (retired) PG Agarwal Commission of Inquiry on circulation of bogus ration cards in the State, has found that political interference played a key role in issuance of such cards. The report of the Commission was tabled in the Assam Assembly during the first day of its autumn session on Monday.

The Commission has found that the Samabai Samitees failed to act fairly. These Samitees were entrusted with the job of issuance of the Family Identity (FI) cards or ration cards. The officials of various Samabai Samittees in order to obtain or collect the notified articles or items at subsidized rates, inflated the figures of the FI card holders and went on collecting the food articles from the FCI; and thereby misappropriated the excess goods/articles.

The officials of Food & Civil Supply department also failed to properly supervise. As a result, a large number of anomalies were committed in the system. The Commission further found that a large number of FI cards were in circulation throughout the State; and goods against these cards were regularly collected causing loss to the State exchequer.

Advocating a robust computerized system to maintain transparency and accountability, the Commission has recommended that some corrective measures towards funding of the Samabai Samitees are required to be made. Banks or other financial institutions may be made to finance the Samabai Samitees.

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