The Uttarakhand High Court has mandated a thorough investigation into a purported scam involving the manipulation of ration cards in Udham Singh Nagar district. This directive, issued on Thursday by a division bench including Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Ashish Naithani, requires the state government to conclude its inquiry within four months and initiate legal action against those implicated.
The court’s decision came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dipesh Kumar, a local resident. The PIL claims that thousands of Above Poverty Line (APL) ration cards were illicitly converted to Below Poverty Line (BPL) status, allowing individuals to unjustly benefit from government food subsidies intended for the neediest segments of society.
Further allegations within the PIL suggest a collusive relationship between departmental officers and ration dealers, accusing them of orchestrating the scam for personal gain. This systemic manipulation has reportedly undermined the integrity of the welfare distribution system, prompting calls for accountability.
Recognizing the severity of the allegations and the potential impact on public trust and welfare, the high court has also called for the involvement of an independent agency to ensure a transparent and unbiased investigation. The government is expected to report back to the court with findings and actions taken against those involved in the scam.
