JOIN USKarandlaje received a threat call on her cell phone late at night on January 29. “The caller threatened me with dire consequences if I continue the drive (to collect RR numbers of the electricity connection from people). The caller even said he will not hesitate to follow in the footsteps of the oil mafia in Maharashtra if any problem is created,” she told reporters on Tuesday.
Malegaon Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane was burnt alive when he raided a warehouse where oil was illegally stored. The oil mafia even attacked a police team that was conducting a raid in Malegaon on Tuesday.
However, Karandlaje is not perturbed. “I will continue with my work. I have directed the officials to intensify the drive. LPG domestic cylinders, each of which carries a subsidy of about Rs 200, are being misused rampantly across the State. Our department’s efforts to streamline the PDS will help prevent the misuse of LPG also,” she stated.
She said immediately after the unknown caller cut the call, she called the number and it was traced to some coin telephone booth. But she decided not to lodge a police complaint.
As ration cards are mandatory for issuing new LPG (domestic) connections, gas distributors connected to oil companies issue fake connections using bogus ration cards.
Subsidised domestic LPG cylinders are diverted for commercial uses, including for running four-wheelers, hotels and restaurants.
Criminal cases against Comat
The Minister said the Government is contemplating filing a criminal case against Bangalore-based Comat Technologies for failing to distribute bio-metric ration cards in the State.
As per the agreement signed in 2006, the company was supposed to issue bio-metric ration cards across the State within 90 days. Though the Government has released Rs 54 crore to the company, it has not completed its work yet, she added.
The Government has sought information from the company on the status of its work. Action will be taken based on the reply, she said.