Berhampur: At least nine state government employees have been suspended by the Ganjam district administration for applying for ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The suspended employees include six teachers, one admin, a peon and a village agriculture worker (VAW).
State and Central government employees are excluded from the benefits of the scheme. The government servants have been instructed earlier not to apply for ration card under the scheme as they are not eligible. They have also been asked to withdraw their applications by June 30, 2015, Ganjam Collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary said.
Despite such warning and massive awareness drive, several government employees had applied for ration cards in the scheme.
"During verification, we have found at least nine such employees. These employees have been placed under suspension on Wednesday as an exemplary action," he said.
Besides government employees, Income tax payers, persons having vehicles including two wheelers, business with TIN (tax payer identification number), households with electricity consumption of above 300 units per month, persons having power tillers, fishing boats or other heavy vehicles and professional tax payers are among those who are not entitled to get benefit of the scheme, he said.
"The administration will take action against the ineligible persons who have not withdrawn their application despite repeatedly request. If necessary, criminal case will be filed against the ineligible persons who get the ration card", District Civil Supply Officer (CSO) Nilakantha Mohanty said.
Meanwhile, district administration has set deadline for publication of the final list of the beneficiaries by August 25. Disbursement of new ration cards will be commenced from September 1 to 25, said CSO. The government has decided to roll-out the NFSA from October 1.
