Patna, May 10: Years after the vigilance bureau detected an alleged scam involving the misuse of ration and short supply of foodgrain meant for people below poverty line (BPL), not a single case has been registered against those responsible.

During a survey conducted between 1997 and 2000, the bureau had found irregularities in the distribution of red cards under the BPL scheme in Madhubani, West Champaran and Nawada. Other districts, too, gradually came under the scanner and it was found that over 21 lakh special ration cards were illegally issued across the state.

Sources said the food department had written to the economic offences wing (EOW) on September 4, 2000 stating that it had struck off over 21 lakh ?fake? beneficiaries from the BPL list between 1998 and 2000 from among 61 lakh red card holders. The cumulative losses were estimated at Rs 1,400 crore.

Saying he was not aware of the current status of the case, additional director-general of EOW Manoj Nath told The Telegraph: ?I had handed over the case to the additional director-general of vigilance in 2002.? District officials allegedly involved in the implementation of the scheme five years ago recently denied having conducted the survey.

Food department officials are now spending sleepless nights following enquiries about the ?imaginary cards?, a state official said on condition of anonymity.