Following the huge number of bogus ration cards, the Election Commission had deleted it from the list of proofs that could be submitted to be allowed to vote. But after protests from political parties, it was re-introduced.
Social activist Anil Galgali, who obtained the information, said the numbers showed how easy it was to obtain a ration card with false proof or none at all. “In the Kurla slums on the airport land, there are several touts offering to make pre-dated ration cards so that a person becomes eligible for a free house,’’ he said.
Anil Deshmukh, minister for food and civil supplies, said the scrutiny of ration cards this year is likely to yield another 10 lakh bogus ration cards. “Along with the form that is to be submitted, we ask for the electoral roll number which is unique for every voter, a copy of the electricity bill, house rent bill and income tax receipt. It becomes easy to trace bogus ration card holders,’’ he said.
With the huge number of bogus cards coming to light, the scrutiny will be made an annual feature.
Lack of awareness on the documents required for obtaining a ration card was the key reason why people approach touts, said Vinita Singh of NGO Satark Nagrik Sangathana. Ration card is really a food card but is mixed up as an identity card, said Singh. This was the reason why even those who did not purchase foodgrains from the PDS obtain a ration card. “When there is a government resolution that allows homeless people to have a ration card, why should there be an insistence on proof of residence? The result is that in the slums, a lot of people are forced to approach a tout and hence the high rate of bogus cards. The current going rate for a ration card in the slums is Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per card,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, the state has extended the date for submission of ration cards for scrutiny up to February 15. The scrutiny is being done for below poverty line (yellow card holders) and above poverty line (orange card holders). White card holders or those who do not avail of foodgrains from the PDS have been excluded.
According to the data obtained under RTI, nearly 22 lakh of the 29 lakh bogus cards were from above poverty line category. “We are also planning to introduce the Irish Biometric system, in which a person’s thumbprint is captured as proof for identity,” said Deshmukh.