Sambalpur: Dealers Demand Bribes for Ration Card Updates in Sambalpur; Rs. 100 Bribe Video Goes Viral, Supply Department Remains Silent
Sambalpur: A viral video has exposed instances of bribes being openly demanded for ration card updates. Dealers in Sambalpur are allegedly asking for money under the pretext of processing fees or KYC updates. A recent video showing a dealer accepting Rs. 100 from a beneficiary has gone viral, raising serious questions about the practices in the ration card issuance process.
Viral Video Exposes Bribe
According to reports, beneficiaries are being forced to pay bribes to get their ration cards updated. In the viral video, a beneficiary from the Khetrajpur area claims he applied for a ration card eight months ago. He was informed that his ration card was finally ready and asked to visit the office. Upon reaching, he was given some documents and told that the card would be issued the next day if he paid Rs. 200 to the dealer.
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The next day, the beneficiary paid Rs. 100 but was later told that the update would still take three more months. The viral video clearly shows the dealer taking Rs. 100 from the beneficiary. Although the dealer has denied the allegations, their face is clearly visible in the video, creating further public uproar.
Questionable Practices by the Supply Department
This incident has raised concerns about the functioning of the district supply department. Despite the video being widely circulated, the department has not taken immediate action. Officials stated that they have not received any written complaints. However, they assured that an investigation will be initiated if a formal complaint is filed.
Rules and Public Reactions
As per government rules, no fee should be charged for ration card updates or issuance. The viral video has sparked outrage among the public, who are questioning why the supply department is waiting for a written complaint instead of acting on the evidence already available.
This incident highlights the need for stricter monitoring and accountability in the ration card distribution process to ensure transparency and fairness for beneficiaries.
