Big Blow to Illegal Bangladeshi Nationals
By: Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step in curbing the misuse of government-subsidized food grains by cancelling approximately 18 lakh ration cards in the state. This move is part of an ongoing e-KYC campaign aimed at verifying the authenticity of ration card holders. The campaign has successfully identified and disconnected ration cards held by ineligible beneficiaries, including Bangladeshi nationals, government employees, high-income individuals, and businessmen and traders.
Impact on Ineligible Beneficiaries
The e-KYC campaign, conducted with the help of Aadhaar cards, has had a substantial impact on those misusing the system. Many government officials, employees, teachers, and high-income individuals holding ration cards have had their benefits discontinued. The campaign has also affected Bangladeshi nationals who obtained ration cards using fake documents, highlighting the government’s efforts to ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients.
Progress of the e-KYC Campaign
The campaign has made significant progress, with 17.98 lakh ration cards cancelled across the state. Mumbai tops the list with 4.80 lakh cancelled cards. While districts like Bhandara, Gondia, and Satara have shown excellent progress in e-KYC, cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane are far behind. The campaign will continue until further government directives, ensuring that subsidized food grains are distributed fairly and transparently.
Ensuring Transparency and Fair Distribution
The Maharashtra government’s efforts aim to promote transparency and fairness in the public distribution system. By cancelling fake ration cards and verifying the authenticity of beneficiaries, the government ensures that subsidized food grains reach those who need them most. The campaign will continue to work towards plugging leakages and ensuring that benefits are distributed to eligible beneficiaries, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the public distribution system.
