Panaji (GOA) Revealing that several government servants are illegally availing the benefit of food security cards/ration cards despite being above poverty line (APL), the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has warned to take necessary action against the illegal beneficiaries, if they fail to surrender the same within next two months.
In series of illegalities observed, the department has noted that several people are availing the ration quota in the name of those who are either dead or are not leaving in the State.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, directions are issued to the ration card holders to revalidate their cards within 60 days.
“The Department has noted that many ineligible beneficiaries, including Government servants are holding priority household (PHH), food security cards instead of above poverty line (APL) cards. Some families with income more than Rs. 5 lakhs possess above poverty line (APL) ration card although they are not eligible for ration card,” the department said.
As such, the department has appealed to the ration card holders to get their ration cards corrected, changed or surrendered and ensure that the names of dead persons are deleted by approaching to the concerned taluka Inspector within a period of 60 days.
The Department has noted that the names of dead persons appear in the ration card and families are drawing monthly ration quota against the name of dead persons.
“Similarly families having ration cards are not residing in Goa and third parties are drawing the quota on their behalf,” it added.
Therefore the Department had appealed to such consumers to approach the concerned taluka Inspector, failing which the Department will initiate action after the survey of all such ineligible card holders availing benefits.