The Cherthala police have registered a case against M.M. Saju, councillor of Ward 25 of Cherthala Municipality, for allegedly misusing food coupons distributed under a government welfare scheme for extremely poor families.
A complaint filed by the municipal secretary accused the councillor of misappropriating coupons worth ₹22,000 that were meant to provide essential groceries to identified beneficiaries.
The State government had introduced the scheme in December 2023, under which families classified as being in extreme poverty were provided food coupons worth ₹500 each month. The coupons could be used to purchase grocery items, excluding rice, from Supplyco outlets. In each ward, the councillor was responsiblefor distributing the coupons to eligible families.
In Ward 25, three families were identified as beneficiaries. However, during a recent survey, one of them reported not having received any coupons so far.
Following an internal inquiry, the secretary found that two out of the three beneficiaries had not received their coupons, even though records showed that the councillor had collected them every month.
The DYFI staged a protest demanding a detailed investigation into the alleged misuse. The DYFI also distributed food kits to the affected families on Saturday, said its zonal secretary A.R. Arunkumar.
Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and that the councillor’s statement will be recorded in the coming days.
Published – November 02, 2025 05:38 pm IST
