S.A.S. Nagar, April 11, 2020: In view of many false claims of ration/ food not being available and petty-politics of select few claiming discrimination, where none is found to exist upon verification, it is decided that anyone who makes a false claim of non-availability of food/ essential services and the claim is later found to be baseless, shall be booked under the Disaster Management Act, informed Girish Dayalan, Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar.
“There is also no time for fake alarms and petty politics in a crisis”, said he and added that formal orders have been issued in this context.
It is pertinent to mention that the Disaster Management Act entails that anyone who knowingly makes a false claim for obtaining any relief, assistance, repair, reconstruction or other benefits consequent to disaster from any officer of the Central Government, the State Government, the National Authority, the State Authority or the District Authority, shall, on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, and also with fine.
Besides, whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, shall on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine.
The Deputy Commissioner said that all complaints regarding non-supply of food material shall be verified by the Sector Food Team. This team in turn shall check and make a video for proof. The team is expected to go wearing mask/ gloves etc.
Thereafter, the Sector Food Team shall report the matter in writing to the SHO concerned to register a case under the Disaster Management Act.
However, he reiterated that “each call for help needs to be verified and where there is no ration or ration has finished, immediate assistance must be given without delay or discrimination.”