Govt official declines to issue ration card to a villager

A recent case in Joshimath block has exposed the apathy of Government officials towards executing their tasks efficiently. A villager has now complained to the district development officer against an official who reportedly refused to provide a ration card to him without citing any valid grounds for declining the request.

Resident of Chai village in Joshimath block, Ankaj said that he had approached the Gram Panchayat officer with an application to procure a ration card and get a toilet constructed with available Government assistance. However, he claimed that the officer simply refused to get his work done. 

The villager averred that when he applied to the officer for a ration card, the officer reportedly told him that he did not have a machine installed at his home to make ration cards. Regarding the construction of a toilet the officer told him to approach the Swajal office. The villagers have questioned whether the officer concerned is not responsible for helping them get their works done as per Government schemes and regulations. 

They say that if Government officials maintain such an attitude, then it will be very difficult for the villagers to benefit from the various Government schemes being implemented specifically for the development of rural areas and welfare of villagers. When this correspondent asked the district development officer about this incident, the DDO said that the allegations would be inquired into and action will be taken against the official concerned if found guilty.