Hubballi (DH) : "Strict action including filing criminal cases would be taken against those who were involved in the case of linking Aadhaar number with multiple PDS cards to issue bogus cards, and erring officials will also not be spared," said Food & Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader.

This irregularity took place more in urban areas. More than 480 criminal cases have already been filed across the State, he said.

In Dharwad district, cases have been booked against 33 franchisees and four fair price shops. In the district, 94 fair price shops out of 144 shops have the incidents of single Aadhaar number linked with multiple cards. District administrations have been given the power to this issue properly and to take action, The guilty would be jailed, he noted.