DNA: Ahmedabad: Monday, February 05, 2018.
The biometric
data theft case being investigated in Surat may be much bigger than what it is
being made out to be. For, an RTI activist has through documents detailing
foodgrains given to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
has revealed that some of the beneficiaries were relatives of Congress and BJP
leaders, income tax officials as well as civic body employees.
Incidentally,
scammers with help of leaked biometric data used the relatives ration card to
achieve this feat.
Ajay Jangid,
the activist, said the documents (sale transaction details of PDS sought under
RTI) clearly show that foodgrains were diverted in the name of people who
clearly did not need them.
The RTI
revealed that several members of Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly
Paresh Dhanani's family, relatives of BJP MP Naranbhai Kacchaidya, and Darshana
Jardosh were among the beneficiaries.
The RTI
revealed that one Vijay Kachhadiya got 4 litre of kerosene under the PDS system
on December 23, 2017. He is the nephew of BJP MP from Amreli Naranbhai
Kachhadiya, said Jangid. "It shows one Ashai Jardosh (ration card no
122901009718409) have procured 14kg wheat, 6 kg, rice on January 1, 2017 at
11.37 am in the morning. This beneficiary being show is the son of Surat MP
Darshnaben Jardosh," said Jangid.
"Another
transaction slip shows Jayanti Dhanani having procured 12 kg of wheat and 8 kg
of rice December 12, 2017. He is a relative of LOP and Congress leader Paresh
Dhanani," said Jangid.
He said it is
most likely that the ration card details of these people were used without
their knowledge to divert foodgrains meant for the poor.
"What
happened is that the shop owners had access to the biometric details of almost
all the ration card holders and hence they could easily subvert the system put
in place to check for frauds," said Jangid.
Paresh
Dhanani when contacted said now computers were gobbling up what was meant for
the poor. "It is obvious the BJP while embracing technology did not put
enough safety measures in place. Our biometric data is not safe with the
government. This scam could not have been perpetrated without the knowledge of
the government," said Dhanani.
Kacchaidya
when contacted said he read about it in some local newspaper but was not aware
of the incident. Jardosh said she was aware of the incident. "It was
brought to our notice that foodgrain was being taken in the name of my son. We
have filed an FIR in Surat and the cops are investigating the matter. One of
those arrested is a neighbour of ours," said Jardosh.
‘DATA NOT
SAFE’
When
contacted, Paresh Dhanani, Leader of Opposition in Gujarat state assembly,
said, “It is obvious the BJP did not put enough safety measures in place. Our
biometric data is not safe with the government. This scam could not have been
perpetrated without the knowledge of the government.”
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