Locals in Sindhupalchowk district who received benefits meant for earthquake victims are returning the aid to local bodies following a government decision to take action against 'bogus' quake victims. Earlier, some locals in the district had received relief support distributed by the government, on the strength of fake identity cards procured through political influence and power. They are now returning the relief support to the government via the respective VDC or the district administration office (DAO). The DAO will take stern action against bogus quake victims who have received identity cards and relief support, according to Chief District Officer (CDO) Balbhadra Giri, who is also coordinator of the District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC), Sindhupalchowk. The government has ordered all the DDRCs to take action against fake quake victims, as per guidelines it issued recently following reports from quake-hit districts about irregularities in relief distribution. As per the government's instructions, the DDRC in Sindhupalchowk has intensified its monitoring of quake victims in the villages. The monitoring mechanism deployed in the affected areas is investigating the instances of fake quake victims. So far, 21 people have already returned the Rs 15,000 they received as relief, the DDRC informed. They had illegally received Rs 15,000 each for the construction of temporary shelters. Four to five persons a day are visiting district headquarters to return the relief support they had received. As per the DDRC, they can also return the aid through the respective VDC offices. The DAO has also urged locals and stakeholders to file complaints against any 'bogus' quake victims receiving benefits. Hundreds of complaints have already been filed at the VDCs and the DAO, it is learnt. The highest number of complaints received at the DAO are from Pangretar VDC. Over 72 locals have filed complaints in Pangretar. Other complaints have come from Bhimtar, Batase, Bandetar and Nawalpur VDCs. Some 80 percent of quake victims have already been distributed identity cards and relief support, according to CDO Giri. As per the estimates, there has been an increase of over 30,000 households in the district claiming to be quake victims.