Fake ration cards: Govt to take action against officials

The department of food supplies and consumer welfare asked the collectors of Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Sonepur to act against officials involved in issuance of such ration cards.

"You are requested to look into the matter personally and furnish detail information on the corrupt officials who are responsible for issuing bogus/fake ration cards," the letter issued to collectors said.

The state government earlier had detected about one lakh bogus ration cards being used to lift items under the public distribution system at concessional rates. Though such cards were cancelled, no action was taken against the officers involved.

Besides the Supreme Court and the Centre, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also called for an action taken report from the state government over the bogus ration card issue.