A major anomaly in existing rationing system is haunting the State for quite some time. Since a long time, a large number of people/families have been demanding ration cards as they do not figure in the list of existing ration holders. In particular, this anomaly has adversely affected the poorer sections of population because many of them would fall in the category of BPL in case their inclusion in the rationed citizen’s list is made possible. This had become an election issue when political parties publicized their manifesto for Assembly election. BJP had already included rationalizing of the list of recipients of ration cards in its manifesto. After the coalition between BJP and PDP was formed, rationalizing of ration holder lists was accepted as a condition in the CMP of the Coalition Government. It is this compulsion that has raked up the issue and the concerned minister wants that inclusion of new ration holders should be streamlined.
Actually, the source of this problem is to be found in Government going on with the number of rationed families in the State on the basis of 2001 Census. The latest Census had taken place in 2011. It showed an increase in the population from 19.72 lakh families with 1.01 crore souls in 2001 to 22.73 lakh families with 1.25 crore souls in 2011. There is a shortfall of ration for about 3 lakh families in the entire State. How this will be met is the question which the State Government is grappling with.
Since the Coalition Government is committed to issuing ration cards to those who are genuine but are not enlisted, the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) had taken up the matter with all of 22 DCs of the State and it was decided that the DCs would compile the details of ration holders as well as non-holders in respective districts and submit the report to the Minister of CA&PD. According to our information 12 DCs have submitted the report and the remaining 10 are yet to respond. The Minister has given them one week for sending in their reports.
Actually this matter has been made complicated by the Government itself. Four years have gone by when the census was conducted which showed increase in population. In normal course of things, the Government should have begun the task of examining who among the additional families qualify for rationing. Ration cards should have been issued to them without any hassle. But that was not done and the matter dragged on to 2015. After all if three lakh families have been added to the population strength of 2001, why should not they be added to the list of ration holders? We regret to say that ten Deputy Commissioners who have failed to submit the requisite information in time have done much injustice to a large number of families who are expecting to be included among the ration holders. They have to understand the plight of these families which mostly comprise weaker sections of society. We should understand that there is the Right to Food Act and anybody becoming a hurdle in the implementation of the Act in letter and spirit is doing something against the interests of the society. We strongly disapprove Government’s lackadaisical policy of deferring inclusion of the left out families in the list of ration holders. It is violation of their right to survival. Where is the Services Act which was given huge media hype and the people were assured that no deficiency in services would be tolerated. For each district, district level committees headed by Deputy Commissioner concerned with Assistant Director, CAPD concerned as Member Secretary were constituted so as to conduct verification of all categories of ration holders. Why these district committees have failed to submit data within the stipulated time and have become instrumental in prolonging final decision of the issue is what the DCs concerned shall have to explain.
We understand that the Minister for CA&PD is concerned about fulfilling the commitment made to the people and also in the CMP. He is trying to resolve the issue as early as possible. But it is the administration that must cooperate. We expect the defaulting units to come up with their verification report and thus help the Minister find a final solution to the issue of updating the list would be ration holders.
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