Avinash Azad
JAMMU, July 29: The inaction of department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) coupled with political patronage to the accused, probe in the much publicized fake ration cards scam that, surfaced in Udhampur has been put on back burner.
Sources informed Early Times Plus that the poor response of CAPD to work-out on the scam was hampering the probe, which was ordered by the District Administration. "Police had arrested the kingpin of fake ration card scam, Joginder Kumar, a Sarpanch who later went scot free for being close to MLA Udhampur", sources resented.
The police authorities had also constituted five members Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DSP Suram Singh, to investigate the matter. "Due to involvement of CAPD officials in much published fake ration card scam, the department is evading its responsibility to expose the culprits", sources said, adding that delay in the probe was favouring the culprit to temper evidences as the main accused was on bail.
The sources in police department preferring anonymity claimed that the investigation was in progress. "If CAPD responds positively, the investigation will work-out very soon", they said, adding that those who were involved in the said misappropriation would be punished.
Sources said that paradoxically, instead of exposing such elements, the MLA concerned is shielding the accused. "MLA Udhmapur, Balwant Singh Manoita has been favouring, the accused Sarpanch. In letter written by Assistant Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Udhampur to Director CAPD, Jammu he mentioned that MLA was forcing him to favour the culprit.
"The MLA Udhmapur vide D.O letter number MLA/Udh/5334, dated: 04-05-13, has demanded that the shop engaged departmentally creates inconvenience to the public and public has full faith on the ration dealer Joginder Kumar who distributed ration properly to the rationees as such he may be allowed to distribute the ration to the rationee of the area. Since the matter is in court and dealer was placed under suspension, It is as such requested that necessary instruction in this behalf may kind be issued for convenience of the rationees of the area," the documents revealed.
The document further revealed, "Ration dealer Joginder Kumar son Charan Dass resident of Kotli Pain Tehsil and District Udhampur was found in possession of bogus ration cards as reported by the TSO Udhampur vide his letter number 176/TSO/Udh date April 15, 2013. On the report of the TSO the supply of ration of the said dealer was stopped for the month of April 2013."
"Meanwhile the dealer was also arrested following registration of an FIR no 58/2013 under section 420, 467, 468, 471 and 409/ RPC at Police station Rehmbal. Subsequently the dealer was placed under suspension vide this office order no. 177.80/AD/CAPD/Udh date May 1, 2013," the documents revealed adding that the dealer (Sarpanch) misusing his official position as sarpanch had given selling BPL ration to Government Employees and he also provided ration cards to non-resident of state. |
