This
could be one good example for the glaring apathy shown by bureaucracy
when it comes to implementing people friendly projects. More than one
lakh beneficiaries who had applied for APL and BPL ration cards two
years ago are yet to receive their cards. Having deprived the
beneficiaries of their rightful claim for rations, officials of the
Department of Food and Civil Supplies have now asked the
beneficiaries to apply once again fresh in next month, stating the
requirements to issue ration cards have been changed.
Though
the new guidelines came into effect just two months ago, there are
more than one lakh people waiting for over two years to receive their
cards. With new rule of government the sufferers are the poor
beneficiaries as they have to once again run from pillar to post to
collect all the relevant documents and spend a couple of hundred
rupees as well as time to submit the applications refresh.
Due
to staff shortage, non completion of verification process by food
inspectors, officials of the department could not complete the
process of issuing ration cards from last two years. Assembly
elections and other government / office related works has further
delayed the process of issuing of ration card. Added to this,
enrollment for fresh application forms have been stopped since May
and new seekers are sent back.
Admitting
delay in issuing cards, officials responded that a few beneficiaries
have not provided proper documents, as such incomplete and incorrect
applications have been rejected. But beneficiaries say if the
officials needed additional details they could have communicated with
applicant and would have issued ration cards after getting details,
and thereby blamed officials stating they are simply evading their
duties citing flimsy reasons.
Speaking
to Express, some of the beneficiaries opined that applying again for
ration card is waste of time. 'We are fed up with the process of
inquiring with the officials to issue ration card and the lack of
sensitivity they show and we have decided not to apply again.'
“The
government should consider the application already submitted by
beneficiaries under new system and issue ration cards. Or else it
will be difficult for senior citizens to apply freshly standing in
the long queues,' says 58-year-old Premamma.
“If
the officials had done their duty properly we would have not suffered
from last one and half years to get the ration cards. We were
informed officials will visit for verification, but none visited.
Applying freshly again is nothing but harassing consumers. There is
need of adopting advanced technology to adopt people friendly
initiatives,” opines housewife Kavyashree.
Food
and Civil Supplies Department Deputy Director K Rameshwarappa said
that they have informed orally not to enroll or issue ration cards
until they receive further instructions from the Government as the
new system is being introduced, under which just four yardsticks are
enough to issue ration cards (earlier there were 14 requirements).
'Soon
application will be invited under new system and within seven days
cards will be dispatched through speed post and people need not wait
for long time. The enrollment process might start from December,' he
added.
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