That several ineligible persons are getting the benefits of priority ration card holders has prompted the Department of Civil Supplies to obtain information about them and initiate action in Koyilandy taluk in the district.
Officials have asked the public to register complaints against non-priority ration card holders who have fraudulently got into the categories of Antyodaya ration card (AAY) and priority card holders in Koyilandy taluk.
A news release said here on Tuesday that government employees in public sector units, service pensioners, those residing in houses above 1,000 square feet, those having in their possession over one acre, owning a four-wheeler, having a monthly salary of ₹25,000 and above, and those paying income tax are ineligible to hold priority cards.
It has come to the notice of the department that many households have illegally secured priority ration cards (Below Poverty Line and Antyodaya ration cards). Those who have illegally secured such cards should replace their cards at the taluk supply office by July 31. Otherwise, penal action would be initiated against them. The punishment includes one year in prison and fine, and the money for the provisions they had obtained so far would be recovered at prevailing market rates.
The general public can register complaints as well as clear their doubts following the implementation of a scheme that allowed ration card holders to buy provisions from any ration shop.
Ration card holders should also buy provisions before 25th of every month to avoid rush at the last moment and avoid jam in the e-Pass machine network. They should ensure that they get the bill from the shops. Complaints against ration shops refusing to furnish receipts and overcharging for provisions should be filed with the supply officer.
As of now there are four types of card holders in the State- AAY, priority, non-priority subsidy and non-priority. AAY card holders get 30 kg of rice and 5 kg of wheat per person free of cost and the priority category 4 kg of rice and 1 kg of wheat per person at the rate of ₹1. The other categories also get provisions at subsidised rates.
Complaints can be registered anonymously about ineligible ration card holders at the Taluk Supply Office, Koyilandy (Phone: 2620253); Taluk Supply Officer, Koyilandy (9188527403); Assistant Taluk Supply Officer-1 (9188527503); Assistant Taluk Supply Officer-2 (9188527504); and Rationing Inspectors under various jurisdictions (9188527839, 9188527844, 9188527842,9188527841, 9188527843 and 9188527840).
