Rajasunakhala: In a bid to provide foodgrains at subsidized price to the beneficiaries who were left out of the Centre’s National Food Security Act, the state government on the day of Gandhi Jayanti launched State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) from its own resources.
The scheme aims at benefiting at least 25 lakh people of the state.
However, the ambitious programme looks marred by a controversy from the outset with many people of Rajasunakhala block in Nayagarh district lodging complaints with the block development officer (BDO) citing large scale corruption. This has raised questions on the transparency and successful execution of the scheme.
According to the allegation, the list containing the names of SFSS beneficiaries should be displayed at the panchayat office for the knowledge of public. But this practice was not followed. It was alleged that the inspecting officers, biased by some dishonest people, included the names of people in the list of beneficiaries who own buildings, vehicles, government jobs and profitable businesses. There are cases where the names of beneficiaries of families having ration cards and Antyodaya cards have also been recommended for SFSS benefits.
Some brokers have influenced the inspectors to include the names of rich people and keep the eligible beneficiaries out of the scheme on intention.
On the other hand, the alleged irregularities committed during selection of beneficiaries under the NFSA Act are yet to be investigated.
The civil supplies department has provided ration cards to many households who are ineligible under the scheme. Similarly, many cards under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana have been issued to households who are not entitled to get the benefit, alleged the villagers.
When contacted, Ranpur block civil supplies officer said no irregularities have been committed in issuance of ration cards. The BDO couldn’t be contacted for this.
Locals demanded an immediate stop of distribution of new ration cards under SFSS programme and action against people who were involved in NFSA fraud following a probe.
PNN