Raigarh. (17:03): The Sarpanch of Kalmi village in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, who oversees the government ration shop allocated to Pati Panchayat, was found charging Rs 100 from each cardholder during the distribution of renewed rations.
Upon receiving complaints, Food Inspector CM Sidar conducted an investigation and confirmed the villagers’ claims. Further actions against the Sarpanch are now being prepared following the investigation conducted on March 13. The investigation revealed that the Sarpanch was charging Rs 50 for the photo of the ration card holder, Rs 20 for sugar (which is normally priced at Rs 17), and Rs 30 for the ration card itself, totaling Rs 100 per ration card.
During interrogation by the Food Inspector, the Sarpanch’s husband admitted to accepting Rs 100 per card. Statements from ration card holders were also collected, revealing that they had provided their own photos to the Sarpanch Pati for the new ration card, but were told it wouldn’t suffice and were charged Rs 50 for a new photo. One woman testified that the Sarpanch had initially taken Rs 5,000 for the ration card. During the investigation, Sarpanch Kenwara Satnami claimed ignorance of the incident, while Secretary Brijlal Sahu acknowledged hearing about the Sarpanch’s husband demanding money, though he wasn’t present during card distribution. Additionally, ration card holders reported undergoing biometric scans for March but not receiving rice. The case will be presented in the SDM court after investigation.
