Govt taking steps to check misuse of APL card scheme: Haroon

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Delhi Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Haroon Yousuf today said the State Government has planned to take several steps to check misuse of the APL ration card scheme.

The scheme provides 10 kg rice at Rs nine per kg and 25 kg wheat at Rs 6.80 per kg per month to the people earning an annual income of less than Rs one lakh.

In a statement in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Mr Yousuf said,''It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements are taking undue advantage of the Government scheme and it is reported that some ineligible people having annual family income of more than Rs one lakh are also getting their APL ration cards stamped.'' ''It has also been reported that ration card holders and other anti-social elements are deputing people to get their APL ration cards stamped,'' he added.

From today, only head of family would have to come for getting their APL ration card stamped in order to check the misuse of the scheme, he said, adding, ''The veracity of declaration regarding annual family income by the card holders for getting their APL ration card stamped, will be checked on random basis by the Food and Supplies Department''.

''On the basis of verification of Department, criminal prosecution is proposed to be launched against the person, who have furnished false affidavits with regard to their income for getting their APL cards stamped,'' he mentioned.

Mr Yousuf said the purpose was to ensure that only genuine people having annual family income of Rs one lakh or less should get the benefit of the Public Distribution System (PDS).

It is notable that the Government of Delhi recently extended the date for stamping of APL ration cards up to April 15 after many members felt that many APL Card holders have been left who could not get their cards stamped due to one reason or other reasons.

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