I do not know whether Government launched the Food Security Ordinance for votes, but I know that the poor would get five kilos of food grains per person under this scheme through public distribution system,” said Jageshwari Devi after securing ration card and food grains from the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at the launch of Food Security Ordinance on Tuesday.
Many women who had reached town hall for procuring ration card and food grains from the CM expressed disappointment on learning they were not listed and alleged that only Congress supporters were given ration cards and food grains by the CM.
Beneficiaries including Kunti Devi, Sunita Devi, Sheila Devi, Rani Devi, Firdaus, Seema Devi, Sumitra Devi and Shanti Devi expressed satisfaction after receiving ration cards and food grains from the CM and said that they were receiving ration through public distribution system but quantity of food grains was less than the actual need of the family in a month. They expressed hope that after launch of this scheme, they will be able to procure sufficient quantity of food grains from PDS dealers.
Sumitra Devi said, “I am happy that Government has launched food security ordinance and now onwards, I will not have to worry about purchasing food grains for the family”. One of the women of Rajpur Road said “I live with my husband who is physically handicapped. Earlier I used to receive two kg rice and seven kg wheat from PDS dealers which was insufficient for the two-member family. I have visited the town hall for procuring ration card and food grains but my name was not listed.”
Dl Road councilor and Congress party member Devika Rani said that she had listed three beneficiaries from her ward and all of them procured ration card and food grains from the CM. Many visitors like Kishan Devi, Babita, Surishana Devi, Munni, Radha Chauhan and Rajbala said that they had reached the town hall to procure ration card from the CM, but their names were not listed. These women were seen asking the food and civil supply officers whey they could procure ration cards from the department.
Rajbala said that she receives five kg rice and seven kg wheat from the PDS dealers but there are eleven members in her family. Though, she has not procured ration card and food grains from the CM, this scheme will be boon for her family, she hoped. Many visitors alleged that they do not receive ration from PDS dealers as per government standards.
Jakhan resident Ramlal said that government should lay emphasis on improving public distribution system rather than launching new scheme because under this scheme, food grains will also be distributed through PDS dealers among the beneficiaries. Some citizens alleged that government had invited the residents to town hall for procuring ration cards and food grains, but forgot about ration card and other issues with the department not even ensuring seats for them here.