A shocking case has come to light in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, where some individuals have fraudulently availed benefits from government schemes using forged documents. Taking serious note of the entire matter, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami adopted a stern stance and instructed officials to take immediate action. Following the Chief Minister's directives, FIRs have been registered in two separate cases in the Kotwali Nagar and Rajpur police station areas.
The police took action based on complaints from the District Supply Officer and officials of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. It is alleged that some individuals, using false income certificates and other documents, obtained ration cards under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category, despite having an annual income exceeding ₹5 lakh. Furthermore, based on those very cards, they also benefited from the ambitious Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Genuine beneficiaries were left deprived
The investigation by the supply department revealed the extent of this fraud. It emerged that these fraudulent cardholders had unduly benefited from subsidized rations and government health facilities, leaving the genuine beneficiaries deprived of the scheme. The investigation also clarified that several ration cards were created based on forged documents. The department, considering this fraud as serious, has initiated swift legal action.
The misuse of government schemes not only resulted in a loss of government resources but also raised questions about the credibility of schemes designed for public welfare.
CM Dhami gave clear instructions
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, considering the entire matter very serious, stated that the benefits of public welfare schemes should only reach eligible individuals. He instructed officials to identify those involved in the fraud and take strict legal action against them. The CM reiterated that the government's goal is to ensure that the poor, marginalized, and needy citizens of the state receive the full benefits of the schemes and that there is no room for fraud at any level.
The government has also made it clear that ration cards under the EWS category will be issued only to those individuals whose annual income is less than ₹5 lakh. Further action will continue in this direction to completely prevent the misuse of schemes.
