Re-checking of food security card applications

The Telangana Civil Services Department will embark on a physical verification of over 1.25 lakh food security card applications it has received. The move is expected to weed out several dubious applications.

According to officials, the department received as many as 2.2 lakh applications last nine months. While about a lakh applications had been scrutinised, the deluge of applications had raised suspicion which is why a thorough re-verification will be done.

“Prima facie checks have been done. But now, we have decided to do more stringent checking of the applications as we believe several bogus applications have come. This will include a re-checking of all eligibility criteria such as income and other parameters,” Commissioner of Civil Supplies C.V. Anand said.

An on the ground physical check will be done by assistant supply officers and others. A meeting with civil supplies staff will be called to work out the details in the near future.

“A section of the card holders do not consume the goods and instead sell it off. They are encouraged by the dealers and others to indulge in these activities,” Mr. Anand said.

He maintained that pilferage had been drastically reduced after electronic point of sale machines were introduced at fair price shops. The raids by the department’s enforcement teams had seized rice after the sale was made to beneficiaries.