SHILLONG: The names of dead persons and even government servants figure in the list of beneficiaries for ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Adding to the discrepancies detected in the enumeration of beneficiaries are duplicate and wrong names among others figuring in the list.
In reply to questions by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) and Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), Food and Civil Supplies Minister Clement Marak said in the Assembly on Tuesday that physical verification and rectifications are being carried out to deal with such discrepancies.
To a supplementary question on the issue of names of eligible persons not included as beneficiaries in the list, the Minister said that the concerned persons can make claims and objections following which hearings will be held.
“While there are forms available for making claims and objectives and to get enrolled, the eligible persons can submit their EPICs, and the name of fair price shops to authenticate that they are citizens of the State,” Marak said.
To a query by Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP), the minister said that the district authorities have been asked to conduct public hearings in parts of the State.
To another query, the minister said that the State Food Commission under the Act has already been constituted with a retired Judge as the chairperson.
Meanwhile, Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) brought to the notice of the government the recent visit of a delegation of headmen to meet the Deputy Commissioner to air numerous complaints regarding the scheme. Speaker AT Mondal also intervened and said, “We have received a lot of complaints on non-inclusion of genuine beneficiaries. The matters needs to be looked into.”
