Kolambkar was replying to a related question by members Kamal Kishor Kadam and Vyamkappa Patki in the Legislative Council. During the debate, Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant alleged that thousands of immigrants, especially from Bangladesh, had entered the city and the authorities, after being bribed, had issued them ration cards. "Will the Government conduct an inquiry into this matter and find out as to how the ration cards were issued in a month?" asked Sawant.

Kolambkar replied that the Government was aware of the problem and had initiated precautionary measures. "The rationing officers will be directed to conduct an inquiry into ration cards illegally issued to outsiders. Actionwill be initiated against those found guilty - the card holders, the authority issuing the cards and the ration shop owner," Kolambkar said.

Earlier, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haribhau Bagade announced suspension of a distribution officer involved in misappropriation of civil supplies at Meera-Bhayander. Bagade said he had received a complaint to this effect on January 16, 1999. The Minister said that a certain A T D'Cunha working as Distribution Officer at Bhayander, will be suspended following complaints against him. The Government had also received a complaint the secretary of the Meera-Bhayander Block Congress Committee in this regard, Bagade said.

Member Nishigandha Mogal pointed out that there had been several reports of large-scale corruption in distribution of new tri-coloured ration cards at several ration shops in the State. Bagade assured the House that strict action will be taken against those found guilty and license of that particular shop will also be cancelled. He added that carewill also be taken so that the license once revoked, is not given to the person's relatives or associates.

Member Neela Desai asked if meetings of the Vigilance committee were being held and if the Government would announce the total number of ration cards issued so far. Bagade replied that the meetings will be held soon. He added that the process of distributing cards was on and hence the exact number of cards issued so far was not available.