Mah govt cancels 30 lakh bogus ration cards: Forum

Thane, Nov 13 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has cancelled around 30 lakh bogus ration cards in the state, according to the Consumer Welfare Advisory Committee.

Talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the supplies department, Food and Drugs Administation and the Consumer Complaints Forum of Konkan Division, the Committee chairman Kamal Farooqui said ''total 1,88,220 bogus ration cards have been cancelled in the Konkan division alone. Of which, 1,01,240 were from Thane district. In Raigadh, there were 33,433 cancellations, from Ratnagiri 44,047 and from Sindhudurgh 10,078 bogus cards were cancelled.

Within the next six months, the ration card holders would be given computerised ration cards similar to the ones provided in Andhra Pradesh. These cards will include the photographs of the family head, eliminating corruption in the distribution in fair price shops, he said.

He alleged that there was rampant corruption in the Sales Tax and Excise departments.

Mr Farooqui also alleged that the rolling mill owners in Wada were not paying taxes. If the Sales Tax officials had worked properly, it would have added to the revenue of the state exchequer.

He said the forum has no powers, hence, they take to mass awakening drives to educate the consumers about their rights.

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