This refers to the report, “ >Food Security Act beneficiaries yet to be identified ” (Sept.15). I think calling the SECC the most reliable source to identify Food Act beneficiaries is a bit of an exaggeration. Let me quote the experience of a friend from West Bengal with the SECC. The State government claims to have published and displayed draft lists in some districts. It also claims to have received complaints, had hearings and made corrections. In reality, no such process has been followed. The State government has the list displayed publicly and has been receiving complaints in some districts. But the time-frame for this process has been found to be too short. Even where complaints are being received, only changes in names and new inclusions are being allowed. No correction of information is permitted. For example, if a house is shown incorrectly to be a pucca one when it is kuccha , a correction is not allowed. Another example would relate to the income particulars.
Dheeraj Kumar,Ranchi
