The West Bengal Food & Supplies Department has claimed to have cancelled some two crore fake ration cards since a drive to link Aadhar Cards to ration cards started in the state.
Department sources have said that when digital ration cards were introduced, the total number of cardholders was around 10.5 crore.
“However, following the instruction linking Aadhaar Cards with ration cards, several fake ration cards like one person having more than one card in the name of deceased persons were detected and subsequently cancelled. Currently the total number of cards in the state stand at 8.5 crore,” a Department official said.
Initiallly, the state government and theruling Trinamool Congress were opposed to linking of the cards.
However, the official said that, later the state government agreed on it after it made a calculation of the savings in the exchequer that can be achieved following the linking.
The Department has also done a rough calculation of the annual savings that can be done after cancellation of such a large number of fake ration cards.
“As per calculation, the annual savings will be to the tune of around Rs 3,500 crore,” the official said.
He however, added that the number of cancelled ration cards might be slightly reduced in the near future.
“Some people whose cards have been cancelled have complained that their cards were cancelled without any reason. They will have the chance for reactivation of the card with supporting documents. If the Department is satisfied with the documents they furnish, their cards might be reactivated in the near future."
Manipur Police arrest 11 militants, recover large cache of arms, ammunition
The Manipur Police arrested 11 militants belonging to various banned outfits and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the past 24 hours, officials said here on Friday.
PM Modi unveils 21-point action plan at 6th BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented a comprehensive 21-point action plan during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, laying out an ambitious road map for cooperation across diverse sectors.
ED raids multiple premises of 'Empuraan' producer Gokulam Gopalan
Amid the controversy surrounding Malayalam film ‘Empuraan’ starring superstar Mohanlal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple premises linked to film’s producer Gokulam Gopalan.
SC declines PIL seeking restriction of social media platforms for kids below 13 years
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention to regulate access to social media platforms for children below 13 years of age.
BIMSTEC Summit: PM Modi, Yunus meet amid strained ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladeshi interim government, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Rupee strengthens against dollar amid Trump's reciprocal tariffs
The Indian rupee witnessed sharp gains on Friday at below 85 against dollar, as the dollar index and oil prices dropped sharply amid concerns over recession in the US economy after the reciprocal tariffs were announced.
Quad to send $20 million relief support to earthquake-ravaged Myanmar
Quad members Australia, India, Japan, and the United States on Friday collectively committed over $20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts for the earthquake-devastated Myanmar.
'Waqf Bill will benefit Muslims, no threat to religious sites,' says Shahabuddin Razvi
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, expressed his support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would significantly benefit Muslims and ensure the betterment of their socio-economic conditions.