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Bhubaneswar: Gross irregularities have now come to the fore in the implementation of the Food Security Act as subsidized ration is being issued in the name of dead persons while on the other hand a substantial number of beneficiaries have not received their ration cards, and yet being provided ration.
Nearly 19 lakh families do not have the printed National Food Security Act (NFSA) cards and are being provided with ration.
Such irregularities have been highlighted in the letter of Odisha State Food Commission (OSFC) chairman, Ranglal Jamuda to all district collectors and civil supplies officers in the State.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Surya Nayaran Patro, on the other hand informed that such discrepancies have come up as death cases have not been adjusted.
"Similarly, there has been a rise in population; Odisha CM and CSOs will shortly come up with a policy to enrol eligible beneficiaries," Patro added.
One such beneficiary who is yet to get enrolled is Panchami of leprosy colony in ward no 22 of Baripada. Despite facing hardships and struggling to meet ends, Panchami's name is yet to be get enrolled in the ration card list.
"We were getting ration till my father was alive. But after his death, ration card is yet to be issued in my name," said Anadi Padhihary, a left out beneficiary.
Kemanti Sahani, another woman from Nuapada district is also running from pillar to post for a ration card following the death of her husband.
Expressing concern over the presence of names of dead persons in the ration cards, Jamuda asked the collectors to exclude such persons from the list and process all pending applications of eligible beneficiaries by June end.
As per OSFC chairman's letter, out of 86.58 lakh households receiving foodgrains, more than 19.61 lakh households are appearing in the Final Priority list (FPL) and have not received their printed cards.
Keeping in view the slow progress made on disposal of pending applications under the National Food Security Act, the OSFC has directed concerend authorities to clear pending submissions for ration cards.
"Directions have been issued to process the pending applications of all the eligible beneficiaries by June end. Ration cards have been issued to nearly 80 lakh families and those who are yet to receive the printed cards are being provided with alloted quota against their signatures," said OSFC member, Sipra Mallick.
