Irked over the distribution of fake Old Age Pension Cards among few elderly villagers by the supporters of a particular candidate in the run up to the Panchayat polls, angry residents of Jharbandh Panchayat, under Dharakote Block of Ganjam district, approached the Block Development Officer (BDO), on Friday.
The villagers demanded the BDO to conduct a probe to identify and punish the culprits who are resorting to the gimmick to woo voters.
BDO Dennis Behera confirmed the fraud perpetrated on the unsuspecting villagers and said that the cards were fakes and distributed without any permission from the administration. He said appropriate action would be initiated against the culprits as per the rules of the Election Commission. “As per the government provision, such cards are issued by the Block office. After duly signed by the BDO and Panchayat Officer (PO), the cards are distributed at the office itself. We will investigate and if any violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is proved, action will be taken against the guilty,” said Behera.
Incidents of candidates distributing gifts as well as money and doling out promises are not uncommon during election times. However, distribution of fake Old Age Pension card by candidates was never heard before.
These cards, purportedly issued by the Women and Child Development department, don’t have any numbers on them; neither do they bear the signature of any government official.
Following the discovery, the villagers approached the BDO.
“Some people distributed the cards requesting us to elect their candidate,” said Pana Gouda, a complainant.
Another complainant, Dinabandhu Gouda said that the miscreants handed over the cards saying, “Take Rs 500 and vote our candidates to power”. “We assumed that they would give us Rs 500 per month as old age pension,” he said.