LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Dumka, March 30: Repeated reminders to the ineligible beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to surrender their BPL cards have failed to yield results as instances of affluent families procuring subsidised grains through the public distribution system (PDS) are still being evident.
Creating an example for the illegal beneficiaries of the NFSA to surrender their BPL cards, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Dumka Rajesh Kumar Sinha has slapped a fine of Rs 99839 on Samsul Haq against the cost of food grains procured by him over the years through the PDS shop situating in the Chirudih village under Mudbhanga Panchayat of the district.
Sinha visited Chirudih village today to investigate the allegations levelled against Samsul Haq by the villagers and was surprised to witness that he was procuring subsidised food grains for nearly 25 years despite being well off.
“Samsul Haq, according to the villagers, was residing in the Shikaripara block area for quite a long time but still used to procure benefits of the NFSA through the BPL card he had managed to get at Mudbhanga Panchayat by submitting fictitious credentials,” the BDO said, adding that Haq’s son is an engineer posted somewhere else and owns an SUV.
“As such a penalty of Rs 99839 has been imposed on him (Samsul) against the cost of the food grains and interest. If he fails to pay the amount within a week then legal action will be initiated against him,” the BDO added.