More ration cards than population!

Chennai;

The number of persons included in the family ration cards in circulation in the state was more than the population of the state highlighting the prevalence of bogus family cards, according to Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, principal accountant generals Suhasini Srinivasan and S Murugiah said that as per the performance audit of the implementation of PDS in Tamil Nadu from 2006-11, it was found that allotment of rice to the districts for supply under PDS was in excess of the requirement and the excess allotment ranged from 19 and 28 per cent at state level.

Suhasini said the total quantity of food grains distributed monthly to the cardholders under the PDS in the state was less than the quantity fixed by government of india under targeted public distribution system (TPDS).

The report also stated that excess subsidy of rs 6.60 crore paid to the cooperative societies during 2006-07 to 2009-10 remained to be recovered.

Non-remittance of unspent funds:

The report also stated that district collectors are yet to remit unutilized funds under the Rs 13.05 crore door to door verification of family card holders scheme to commissioner of civil supplies and consumer protection (CCS). “Even though the verification exercise was completed in all 32 districts, only 10 district collectors remitted the unutilized amount to CCS and the remaining 22 district collectors are yet to remit unutilized amount. Interestingly, in five of the 22 districts for which details are available a sum of rs 37.89 lakh remained unitilised,” the report said.