55,000 ration cards set ablaze

Ratlam(MP), Mar 6 (UNI) About 55,000 new ration cards and related documents were gutted in a fire at the municipal office here on the night of 'Holi', police said today.

The incident came to light on Sunday morning when employees reached the community hall at Alkapuri, where the documents were kept.

Following complaints of bogus ration cards, the authorities started preparation of new ration cards after cancelling the existing one. About 55,000 new ration cards prepared for distribution had been kept at the community hall, official sources said.

Police registered a case against unidentified people, while the District Collector sought a report on the incident from Municipal Commissioner O P Pagare, who also formed a committee for departmental inquiry.

UNI