42.2 lakh fake ration cards found in Maharashtra

A special drive conducted by the Food and Civil Supplies Department has revealed that a staggering 42.20 lakh bogus ration cards are circulation in Maharashtra — and that the losses from 49,253 such fake cards in just one tehsil in Solapur district amounted to Rs 189.40 crore over 12 years — for just two commodities, wheat and rice.

A special drive conducted by the Food and Civil Supplies Department has revealed that a staggering 42.20 lakh bogus ration cards are circulation in Maharashtra — and that the losses from 49,253 such fake cards in just one tehsil in Solapur district amounted to Rs 189.40 crore over 12 years — for just two commodities, wheat and rice.

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The Solapur unit of anti-corruption organisation Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, led by Anna Hazare, recently presented these statistics, obtained under Right to Information Act, before the Bombay high court, which is hearing a public interest litigation in the matter.

The urban areas of Mumbai and Thane topped the list, with nearly 10 lakh fake ration cards found in these areas. The NGO is now asking that the court direct the state to act against the officials responsible.