The officials of Guntur district civil supplies department are facing a strange problem. They have distributed 15.35 lakh new ration cards. However, 59,000 cards were leftover. The officials are unable to trace out the beneficiaries based on the addresses given in the application. There is no use calling their phone numbers. The officials are scratching their heads on what needs to be done with regard to the 59,000 ration cards which were printed based on the data received through the YSR Navashakam survey. The officials believe that the errors were caused by volunteers who have entered wrong information in the survey while computerising old ration card information. If there are 59,000 cards registered incorrectly in a single district, as per the estimates, there may be 7 lakh cards across the state.
Fake surveys
The problem seems to have cropped up while computerising old ration cards and their data, as most of the families mentioned in the new cards have migrated. There are very less chances that they would be coming to the villages to take ration. However, these families might have taken new ration cards elsewhere. Officials have come to a conclusion that the mistakes cropped up due to the survey carried out by volunteers last year. The district officials have decided to send these 59,000 cards to the civil supplies commissionerate.
Ration is being diverted
What has happened to the 59,000 card beneficiaries during the last few years? Where have they gone after the new cards got printed? Have they consumed ration through old cards? Many doubts arise. The officials are also investigating whether the dealers have diverted the ration rice. There were many problems in the biometric system in the beginning. In several villages there was internet problem. During this time the government gave ration to people who had no biometric access. There are doubts that the ration dealers may have diverted ration rice on a large scale.
Old cards no longer valid after December
The distribution of new cards has been completed. The supply of ration through old cards will be stopped soon. The officials are making it clear that they cannot give ration if anyone gets an old card after December. The officials are requesting the people to take the new cards especially those who have not taken the cards so far.
Remove the link Sir
Many government schemes are linked with the ration card. Though not just for rice, most of them are using the card to avail various other schemes. However, the beneficiaries fear that the card may become inactive if they do not use it. Hence, they are purchasing rice and selling it in small shops. If the government stops considering the ration card for implementation of welfare schemes, the government will save crores of rupees annually.
