When massive irregularities have been made in the list of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Right to Food Campaign, Odisha has demanded that complaints should be filed with the State Information Commission-um-State Food Commission in thousands appealing the panel to provide ration card within seven days to those who have been deprived of it despite having the eligibility.
State convener of the forum Pradip Pradhan threatened if speedy justice was not done in this respect, the civil society groups will steer public action at State and district level to enforce the right and entitlement of the people as mandated under the NFSA.
Pradhan said thousands of deserving people have been deprived of ration cards due to faulty registration process, corrupt attitude of Government officials, manipulation of the list and deliberate attempt to exclude eligible households.
Though thousands of poor people have applied for ration cards for the second time in last two months, they are yet to be issued the same.
Pradhan also expressed concern that when the SIC and DRDA PD are already overburdened with own jobs, how can they dispense justice to the complainants under NFSA in a time bound manner.
Further, he said that the State Government is yet to frame the rules of procedure to be followed in respect of receipt and disposal of complaints for the two bodies.