New Delhi: Government today said states have issued 10.28 crore ration cards to Below Poverty Line families, although official figures show that there are only 6.52 crore families that fall under that category.

The 3.70 crore excess ration cards could be bogus and the matter has been brought to the notice of the respective state governments, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour, quoting Planning Commission estimates.

Some of the states have also taken action by cancelling the ration cards of various families, he said.

"Instructions have been issued to all state and UT governments to take action as per law against the persons found in possession of bogus or fake ration cards and the government staff found responsible for issuing ration cards to ineligible families/persons," the minister said.

As many as 13 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Orissa have cancelled more than 67.45 lakh bogus ration cards from July 2006 onwards, he said.

On the other hand, Maneka Gandhi (BJP) raised the issue of inadequate ration cards being issued to the BPL families in Uttar Pradesh and asked the Centre to take appropriate action.
Source : PTI