The state food and supplies department has imposed a fine of nearly ₹8 crore on a ration dealer, who is also a Trinamool Congress leader in Malda, for allegedly using fake ration cards to draw additional food grains for around seven years.

Ashraful Islam, the accused, has left his village.

The department has intimated the matter to the district administration and sought steps against him.

Sources said Islam, who runs a ration shop at Malatipur, a locality under Shahabanchak panchayat in Kaliachak 3 block, had made fake ration cards to get additional quantities of food grains and other items distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) from ration shops.

“According to our findings, he committed this malpractice from 2015 to 2022 and procured additional quantities by using fake ration cards and would illegally sell those items. We have imposed a penalty of ₹7.85 crores on him. Also, his ration dealership has been suspended," said a senior official of the department.

Islam, sources said, is the Trinamool president of the Shahabanchak panchayat and an elected member of the Kaliachak 3 panchayat samiti.

The BJP has slammed the TMC for allegedly encouraging corruption.

"It again proves that Trinamool is shielding such people who are involved in corruption. We don't believe that a ration dealer alone carried out this malpractice for seven years without the knowledge of TMC leaders. He should be arrested and interrogated to find out who else was involved in this corruption,” said Ajay Ganguly, the vice-president of Malda south (organisational) district of the BJP.

Kalisadhan Roy, the working president of the Congress in Malda, was equally critical of the state's ruling party.

“These days, it is rare to find an honest person in Trinamool. The person concerned has siphoned off food grains meant for poor people and made money,” said Roy.

The issue, on the other hand, has left the district TMC leadership in an unpleasant situation.

Abdur Rahim Boxi, the district Trinamool president, was brief in his reaction. “It shows that the state government is actively working against corruption. The food & supplies department has unearthed the corruption. We want the law to take its course and the party will not stand by such people,” he said.

Islam, who is at large, could not be contacted.