UP: Using 'Fake' Aadhaar Cards, 1.86 Lakh Transactions Done To Steal 2.2 Lakh Tonnes Of PDS Supply

A new ‘scam’ has been unearthed in UP where it has been revealed that ‘fake’ Aadhaar cards are allegedly used by imposters to procure ration. Around 1.86 lakh transactions were carried out to steal nearly 2.2 lakh tonnes of wheat and sugar in July this year, revealed the internal inquiry. The internal probe has also shown that at least 2.2 lakh tonnes of wheat and sugar had been stolen by these ration Mafia’s in July alone.

Fake PDS beneficiaries

According to the Times of India, the scam came to light after the food and civil supplies officials in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh received a hefty number of complaints from genuine cardholders that they were not getting their ration under the PDS schemes from the shop owners. The officials figured out that it is a ‘scam’ where fake Aadhaar cards were allegedly used to procure ration using the accounts of many families.

The regional officials of the department from Meerut said that a detailed inquiry is being carried out in 43 districts of UP, reports the Hindustan Times.

The crackdown

According to the officials in Allahabad alone, 107 Aadhaar cards were used to withdraw ration 37,574 times. Followed by Meerut, where 108 Aadhaar cards have been used to withdraw ration 27,324 times. Almost 64 cards were used for 19,795 times in Muzaffarnagar, 69 cards were used for 16,568 times in Ghaziabad. The inquiry will be made in another 48 districts in Uttar Pradesh.

As per the beneficiaries rules, one family is only allowed to withdraw three kg of wheat and two kg of rice per month per member using one Aadhaar card. However, the findings were otherwise. Technical operators allegedly used Aadhaar numbers of original beneficiaries to match fingerprints of someone else to claim the subsidised ration, reported News18.

“In July, we came across 69 Aadhaar cards that were used to withdraw ration from accounts of multiple families. One Aadhaar card of a family member should appear only once in a month in their account. However, these cards appeared in 16,598 ration cards,” said Sunil Kumar, district supplies officer to the Hindustan Times.

As per the initial investigations, it is being estimated that approximately 2,500 quintals of food grains were taken away during the alleged ‘scam’. For further inquiry, Deputy commissioner (food & civil supplies), Meerut, Satya Dev said, “A detailed checking is going on in 43 other districts, including Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.”

An organised gang

Suspecting that the entire ‘scam’ could be the work of an organised gang, the officials further said that they have carried out checks in-person of the Aadhaar card holders and found that their names and addresses were used to prepare fake cards.

“A detailed inquiry is being taken up in the districts. We suspect that ration card dealers, private operators and even insiders could be involved in the complete goof up. Our officials brought the matter to light. We have ordered FIRs in large numbers in different districts, and a decision will soon be taken up for investigation by a special investigation team. The CM has also taken cognisance of the matter,” Atul Garg, minister for food and civil supplies, said.

The officials added that as soon the detailed inquiry is done, corrective measures will be taken.

Also Read: AAP Accuses Centre Of Cancelling 2.9 Lakh Ration Cards Without Proper Inspection