Maharashtra's state administration disclosed that over 1,00,000 government employees have been availing food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) despite their ineligibility under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
This disclosure was made during the latest legislative assembly session, where BJP MLA Sanjay Savkare raised concerns about these personnel profiteering by selling the foodgrains. He asked for strict action against them.
Responding to queries, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said that the ineligible beneficiaries included class 3 and class 4 government employees, whose incomes exceed the NFSA eligibility thresholds.
He clarified that under NFSA regulations, the recovery of distributed foodgrains from ineligible recipients is not possible. However, Bhujbal assured the assembly that the concerned departments have been instructed to take disciplinary measures against those employees.
The goal of the NFSA is to provide subsidised foodgrains to economically disadvantaged families. It sets income limits of INR 59,000 per year for urban areas and INR 44,000 for rural areas.
Politicians demanded penalties for those misappropriating the foodgrains meant for the needy. Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the state government has initiated a review to identify and delist all ineligible beneficiaries.
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