Nagpur ration cards cut, yet wheat and rice lifting from godowns rises

Questions are being raised over the distribution of grain in the Food and Civil Supplies Department of Nagpur district. It is claimed that over the past two months, thousands of ineligible ration card holder families have been dropped from the beneficiary list because of KYC and other reasons. This means fewer people are drawing rations.

Grain lifting should have fallen accordingly. Surprisingly, however, official figures show that the lifting of wheat and rice from godowns has risen in almost all zonal offices. Beneficiaries have fallen while lifting has risen, and this is what has put the entire matter under suspicion.

In this situation, doubt appears to be building over the distribution of government grain. Questions are also being raised about the role of zonal officials.

Internet service in the ration department has also been down for the past two months. As a result, the bilty (consignment note) for grain supply is being prepared on paper. With online service shut, the location of vehicles carrying grain to shops cannot be tracked either.

Complaints of irregularities in grain distribution in the city's ration department have been raised several times before. In one case, the divisional commissioner had also ordered an inquiry. Further, an alleged irregularity in a ration distribution in 2024 had come to light through an RTI application. On the basis of that disclosure, a complaint has reached the ACB.

It has been stated that, taking note of the matter, the complainant was called in for questioning a few days ago. It remains to be seen whether, over these two months of the online service being down, the district administration will conduct an impartial physical audit of the irregularities visible in the city ration department's official figures, or whether the files will be buried.

Nagpur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad said that the irregularity in grain distribution in the city's ration department and the department's indifference are a serious matter. According to him, the matter will be fully investigated and the district administration will look into it soon.