AAP govt orders restoration of over 2.5 lakh ration cards

The government warned officers they would be held “personally responsible” for any starvation deaths of eligible beneficiaries.

The Delhi government, on chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s directions, ordered the restoration of 2.53 lakh ration cards in the national capital and warned officers they would be held “personally responsible” for any starvation deaths of eligible beneficiaries.

the Delhi government claimed that over 2.50 lakh ration cards were cancelled between July and August allegedly by Delhi’s food commissioner despite strong objections by the state food and civil supplies minister. (HT PHOTO)

Between July and August this year, the Delhi government claimed that over 2.50 lakh ration cards were cancelled allegedly by Delhi’s food commissioner despite strong objections by the state food and civil supplies minister Imran Hussain.

In a circular issued last week, Hussain ordered officials to immediately restore the cancelled cards.

“The minister by virtue of powers conferred by the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) Control order, 2015 to the state government has accordingly directed that the FSOs (Food and Supply Officers) of circles shall immediately restore the deleted 2,53,178 ration cards,” the circular read.

“Any death occurring in Delhi due to starvation/non-availability of ration to the otherwise eligible beneficiaries whose card has been cancelled without proper verification, shall also invite criminal action besides disciplinary action against the concerned FSO/FSI for which they shall be personally responsible,” it said.