Assam government department gives away rice, card freebies
The Election Commission has failed to deter Assam food and civil supply department from distributing freebies like rice at of Rs 6 a kg and beneficiaries’ cards carrying photographs of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to voters.
Ration shop owners at the instruction of Congress workers of Ulubari and Panjabi Patti area were seen distributing cards and rice to voters through their outlets on Monday. The cards known as “Beneficiaries’ Family Identity Cards”, which have been issued by the inspector of food and civil supply department of Kamrup (Metro) R. Deka to voters during the week, suggest that subsidized rice scheme of the state government allegedly launched to appease electorates still continues. Outlets of the food and civil supply department are distributing rice to those voters who come to the rallies of Congress candidates.
One of such beneficiaries, who does not want to be named told this newspaper that she was given 20 kg of rice at the cost of Rs 120 (Rs 6 a kg) because she went to attend the meeting of the Congress party at Bihu Tolli where a feast of fish and rice was also hosted for them. She agreed to give a photocopy of the “Beneficiaries’ Family Identity Card” on which the ration shop owner delivered 20 kg of rice on March 28with the condition of keeping it a secret.
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