Inquiry against bogus ration card holders on: Maha tells HC

The Maharashtra government today informed the Bombay High Court that it has initiated inquiry into bogus ration card holders across the state and necessary action would be taken against errant persons and officials.
"A government resolution dated July 15 was issued directing inquiry to be conducted by all field officers into bogus ration card holders. If a person is found to be holding a bogus ration card then criminal action would be taken against him and the officer who issued the ration card," an affidavit submitted by the government said.
The affidavit was filed in a public interest litigation filed by one Jayprakash Unecha seeking direction to the government to initiate steps to tackle the bogus ration cards issue.

On the last date of hearing, the court had directed the government to stop supply of food grains and other commodities once it is found that the person holds a bogus ration card.
According to the affidavit filed by Bapu Narayankar, deputy secretary of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department, an earlier government resolution dated June 29 issued directions to all field officers specifying certain precautions to be taken while accepting applications and issuing ration cards.
"Some of the precautions include - application form should be submitted by the applicant himself, photocopy of the application form should not be accepted, after accepting a form entry should be made in the register, field officer shall personally verify information submitted by the applicant, cross verification with neighbours," the affidavit said.

Petitioner's advocate Ashish Gaikwad told the court that he would like to file an additional affidavit giving details of cases where officials have granted ration cards without proper verification.