The Dehradun District Supply Department has now adopted a strict stance against ineligible consumers who are improperly benefiting from government food schemes.
The department's preliminary investigation has identified more than 27,000 ration card holders who were availing the benefits of subsidised government rations despite owning luxurious houses, expensive cars, and having high incomes. Furthermore, many individuals who fall within the income tax bracket have also been found on the list.
According to information, the central government's National Food Security Scheme and Antyodaya Anna Yojana are operated for economically weaker families, while under the State Food Scheme, only families with limited incomes are beneficiaries. However, the investigation revealed that a large number of people benefiting from these schemes earn incomes several times higher than the eligibility criteria.
According to departmental officials, the annual income limit is set at Rs 1,80,000 for the National Food Security Scheme, Rs 15,000 for the Antyodaya scheme, and a maximum of Rs 4,80,000 for the State Food Security Scheme. Despite this, families with incomes above these limits have been benefiting from government grain and other facilities for years.
Many ineligible families were also providing their children with free education in renowned schools under the RTE Act and availing the benefits of the Ayushman scheme.
DSO KK Agarwal stated that the ineligible ration card holders have been identified and the department has appealed for them to voluntarily surrender their ration cards. He clarified that legal action will be taken against those who do not return their cards within the stipulated time.
The department's objective is to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach genuinely eligible families.