Four government officers, 14 stamp vendors and 20 petition writers from the ration card department in Panchmahal district were issued show-cause notices on Friday. The action followed an undercover investigation by District Supply Officer (DSO) HT Makwana, who, disguised as a villager, allegedly uncovered irregularities and violations of government resolutions in the department.
“We have given them seven days to respond. A disciplinary inquiry will be initiated. Their licences can be cancelled,” Makwana told a section of media.
On Thursday, Makwana went undercover, dressed in a lungi-kurta, wool cap and muffler, to investigate complaints from citizens about the ration card department. He arrived at the Mamlatdar office in Godhra at 11 am, accompanied by a few citizens, to assess the difficulties faced by the public and verify the allegations.
“The officers and other licensed agents did not realise that I was on an undercover operation until about 3 pm, but by then, I had already left and by 4 pm, I had completed my report. I found that several resolutions of the government were being violated and citizens were being overcharged for ration card services,” Makwana said.
According to Makwana, licensed stamp vendors were found selling stamp paper of Rs 100 for Rs 120 and Rs 50 for Rs 60, exceeding the prescribed rates. Officers allegedly required citizens to submit affidavits from lawyers, despite a 2021 General Administration Department (GAD) resolution eliminating the need for such affidavits.
Makwana also noted that citizens were being overcharged for applications and renewals. “Citizens only have to pay Rs 23 for applications and other costs, as the additional fee for two categories of renewals was abolished. Yet, officers are continuing to charge Rs 20 and Rs 40 based on the old fee structure and depositing this fee through bank challans — an unnecessary harassment of citizens,” he alleged.
Further, a photocopy shop within the premises was reportedly charging Rs 5 for a single page of photocopying, far exceeding the market rate of Re 1.
In addition to the stamp vendors, petition writers and the photocopy shop owner, notices have been issued to Tehsildar (Rural) Nilesh Patel, Deputy Tehsildar (Supply, Rural) Chirag Rathod, Tehsildar (City) J L Kharadi and Deputy Tehsildar (Supply, City) H V Bhoi.
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