Cancellation of 2.93 lakh ration cards intentional defiance: Kejriwal
New Delhi, Aug 20 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday took strong exception to the cancellation of around 2.93 lakh ration cards despite objections by Food and Supplies Minister Imran Hussain and said it was "deliberate and intentional act of defiance" by officials.
Kejriwal said that the decision by Food Commissioner Mohanjit Singh without valid and justified reason also appeared to be a conspiracy to deny ration to the poor.
"...is a clear, deliberate and intentional violation at the behest of the central government," he said.
Kejriwal claimed that the officer did not provide any details of ration card holders and beneficiaries whose names were intended to be deleted despite Hussain repeatedly asking for the same.
"Instead officers are proceeding with cancellation of ration cards in utter defiance of the Minister's repeated directions," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo said.
The Chief Minister's Office said that the step will have an adverse impact on the beneficiaries.
"The department officers failed to appreciate the adverse social impact of cancelling 2.93 lakh ration cards covering more than 10 lakh beneficiaries. All such families and members would be rendered hungry because of the insensitive, apathetic, hostile, inhuman attitude of the officers," it said, referring to the death of three minors in Mandawali due to non-availability of food.
The statement said that the Food Commissioner would be "solely responsible" for any incident caused due to non-availability of food.
Kejriwal's office claimed that cancellation was undertaken without door-to-door survey of households. It warned officers concerned of disciplinary action "as such acts of commission or omission make the decisions of public servants suspicious".
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Haryana govt identifies 370 'corrupt' patwaris, their 170 aides; orders action against them
Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana government has prepared a list of 370 'patwaris' (revenue officials) and 170 private individuals working as their assistants who are allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
The office of the financial commissioner, revenue (FCR) has written to deputy commissioners to initiate stringent action against the corrupt officials.
'Patwaris' maintain land records, certify land possession, mutation and other works.
According to the FCR's communication dated January 14, these 370 'patwaris' across the state have been accused of demanding bribes from people to get their work done.
Kaithal tops the list prepared by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department with 46 "corrupt" 'patwaris', followed by 41 in Sonipat, 36 in Mahendragarh, 27 in Gurugram, 25 in Fatehabad, 23 in Kurukshetra and 20 in Jhajjar.
The list identifies 19 such 'patwaris' in Faridabad, 17 in Palwal, 16 in Rewari, 14 in Yamunanagar, 13 each in Sirsa and Hisar, 12 in Jind, 10 in Bhiwani, nine in Panipat, seven in Karnal, six each in Charkhi Dadri and Nuh, and five each in Ambala and Rohtak.
Panchkula is the only district which does not figure on the list.
The FCR's communication asked deputy commissioners to take action against the "corrupt" 'patwaris' and submit an action taken report within 15 days.
The communication stated that people, who go to 'patwaris' for their land-related work are harassed as these 'patwaris' repeatedly raise objections, forcing people to pay them to get their work done.
It said corrupt practices of such 'patwaris' adversely affect the image of the government.
The report prepared by the department mentions the modus operandi of the 'patwaris', their castes and period of posting.
According to the report, a 'patwari' posted in Ambala for the past 18 months has been harassing the public by demanding bribes for things like mutation, land measurement and rectification of land records. He has deputed a private individual for accepting the money on his behalf, it said.
In Bhiwani, a 'patwari' takes Rs 3,000-4,000 for mutation and a 'patwari' in Charkhi Dadri demands Rs 1,000-2,000 for land mutation, the report stated.
