With pressure mounting to curb the increasing incidents of bogus ration cards in Maharashtra, the state government has decided to tackle such cases strictly. It has been decided that apart from suspending the erring rationing officer and stopping their pension, a criminal case will be lodged against those responsible for negligence or involvement in issuing bogus ration cards.
The food and civil supplies department has issued a government resolution (GR) informing the officers that they will have to face stringent punishment for negligence or involvement in issuing bogus ration cards.
Food and civil supplies minister Anil Deshmukh confirmed the development. “We have observed the involvement of some officers in issuance of bogus cards. Hence, it has been decided to file FIRs against such officers after a preliminary investigation,” the minister said.
According to the GR, asking for a bribe to issue a ration card, corruption, or violating rules or irregularity while issuing ration cards are part of misconduct as per the Maharashtra Civil Service Rules. If a complaint against any employee or an officer is proven in the preliminary investigations, then action will be initiated against them in pursuance of the rules.
The GR also mentioned that based on the seriousness of the crime, a criminal case will also be lodged against the erring officer. It also pointed out the case where bogus ration cards in the name of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Chhatisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and skipper of Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni were found in Amravati.
It has also been observed in the GR that rationing officers have no control over the activities going on in the department. “After this revelation, a committee was set up to investigate the matter. Two officers found involved were suspended by the department.
Their pension will also be stopped based on the seriousness of the crime,” said Mr Deshmukh.