HC notice to govt over bogus ration cards

The High Court on Friday notices to the State government and the Food and Civil Supplies department in a petition for weeding out bogus ration cards in Karnataka.

The petitioner, L Vasudevamurthy, had contended there were 1.32 crore households in Karnataka as per the 2011 census whereas 1.44 crore ration cards were issued as per the Food and Civil Supplies department records.

He claimed there were over 10 lakh ineligible card holders and this was causing diversion of foodgrains to black market causing a loss of Rs 81 crore to the government every month. He has sought the court’s directions to the government for discontinuing supply of foodgrains to 18.34 lakh card holders who have not furnished biometric details.

Animal sacrifice
The High Court has directed the Udupi deputy commissioner to consider the application of Alevoor Premji Kini who had sought directions to stop illegal sacrifice of animals on ‘suggi mari pooja’ (harvest festival) at three temples in Udupi district. He said thousands of hen, goats and sheep were sacrificed during the festival in violation of the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959.