23 August, 2011

Prahlad Modi is Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s brother (in Gujarati we call saggo brother). But he is well known for other reason. He is the Chairman of the Gujarat Fair Price Shops License Holder Association (GFPSLHA). And Prahlad Modi has challenged his brother Narendra Modi’s government in Gujarat High Court.

While hearing a petition filed by Prahlad Modi on behalf of GFPSLHA against a circular by the food and civil supplies department, the Gujarat High Court today issued a notice to the state government.

GFPSLHA chairman Prahlad Modi, elder brother of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has filed a petition seeking cancellation of a circular issued by the Food and Civil Supplies department(dated 25 July 2011), directing Fair Price shop-owners of the city to identify bogus ration card holders and report them to the authorities.

The petitioner has further challenged provision of criminal action against the Fair Price shop-owners, and seizure of their movable and immovable property, if they fail to report about bogus ration cards to the authorities by 20th August.

The petitioner has contended that the circular on July 25, was issued under ‘camouflage’ to bring within public opinion that government was alert and taking action with regard to bogus ration cards.

It also alleged that the government wanted to shift responsibility on the Fair Price shop owners, who have no role to play in the issuance of ration cards.

Advocate R K Mishra, appearing for the Association, contended that the entire process of issuing ration cards after physical verification of the identity and address of the applicant was within the purview of the government.

Justice Abhilasha Kumari, hearing the case, issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Secretary, Food Controller and Ahmedabad Collector, and directed them to file reply by September 5.