Verification finds 38 lakh fake ration cards

As many as 38 lakh ration cards were found to be fake after verification drive was conducted by the government. While there were 96 lakh ration cards listed in the government directory, only 58 lakh beneficiaries were found during the verification drive.

The government had launched National Food Security in September 2012, but it was revealed during the drive that there were more people listed on the ration cards in Delhi than its actual population, said an officer of food and civil supply department while highlighting the irregularities of the public distribution system.

SS Yadav, commissioner-cum-secretary of the department said it has made Aadhaar Card compulsory for all households seeking subsidised ration under the food security law. He also said the department will re-verify the figures before taking any final call.

“It is important to ensure that only right beneficiaries get subsidised food under the law”, he ascertained.

He further informed that so far as many as 58 lakh people (around 15 lakh families) have been provided food security in Delhi. These households get food grains at highly subsidised rates of Rs 2 per kg for Wheat and Rs 3 per kg for rice.

Delhi was the first state in the country to roll out the food security scheme in September 2013.