Open theft in ration distribution, L-G should approve doorstep delivery: Sisodia

Delhi’s deputy CM said preliminary enquiry into a sample of data indicates the provision of OTP has been “misused” and ration has been “siphoned off” on a number of cards that appear to be “fake”.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday claimed that the Delhi government has found “open theft” in delivery of ration in the city and demanded suspension of the food and supplies commissioner.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also demanded suspension of the food and supplies commissioner. (HT Photo/Sonu Mehta)

Sisodia also demanded that Lt Governor Anil Baijal okays the AAP government’s ambitious scheme for doorstep delivery of ration and stop the existing e-PoS (Electronic Point of Sale), under which beneficiaries are given ration through biometric identification.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Sisodia said preliminary enquiry into a sample of data indicates the provision of OTP has been “misused” and ration has been “siphoned off” during March on a number of cards which appear to be “fake”.

The One Time Password (OTP) provision is used to give ration in case the biometric identification of beneficiary fails under the e-POS system. In such cases, an OTP is sent on the mobile number of the beneficiary.

Sisodia said the OTP provision was introduced in Delhi on March 1 to beat internet connectivity issues at ration shops.

He also said that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and food and civil supplies minister Imran Hussain have written to the L-G flagging this issue.