More than 1 lakh Maharashtra Government employees fraudulently avail benefits under the National Food Security Scheme

Food and Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal

Mumbai – Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, admitted in the Legislative Assembly that 1,26,200 Maharashtra State Government employees fraudulently availed benefits of the National Food Security Scheme by presenting false information. Following this, MLAs from all parties demanded action against those who deceived the Government; however, Bhujbal replied that there is no such provision of action in the scheme. The departments in which these Government employees work, have been instructed to take action.

More than 1 lakh Government employees in Maharashtra have fraudulently availed benefits under the National Food Security Scheme by deceiving the Government!

What actions will be taken against those involved in such deception? – @RealBacchuKadu MLA pic.twitter.com/I8ikmi0iHK

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 10, 2024

Chhagan Bhujbal gave this information as a response to BJP MLA Sanjay Savkare, who raised the issue in Legislative Assembly on 10^thJuly about the malpractices in the National Food Security Scheme. Sanjay Savkare also asked whether the ‘Setu Suvidha Centres’ from which the benefits of the scheme were given to ineligible persons be de-recognised. MLA Ram Satpute asked whether the Government is going to take a strategic decision in this matter.

Responding to this, Chhagan Bhujbal said, “Supply of food grains to those who have fraudulently availed benefits has been stopped. The information about how much food grains these employees have availed, is given to the concerned departments. There is a provision to recover compensation from them. The salaries of these Government employees range from ₹1.5 to 2 lakhs. The scheme is for those who earn less than ₹59,000 annually in urban areas and less than ₹44,000 in rural areas. It has been found that Class 3 and 4 employees in the Government have taken advantage of the National Food Security Scheme. This fraud was found during the search operation conducted by the department.”

What action will be taken against those who cheated the Government ? : MLA Bachchu Kadu

MLA Bachchu Kadu

Fraudulently availing benefits of the scheme by the Government employees is tantamount to deceiving the Government. Law is equal for all. What action will the Government take against those who have cheated the Government ?