State Government is yet to release three months’ quota of ration under Public Distribution System for Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts where the Char Dham shrines are situated.
As per the department officials, State Government used to release three-month ration quota (June, July and August) for Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts in the month of April or May so that ration card holders could be provided their three months' ration in May. For three months each year, these districts come under the grip of adverse weather conditions which are often lead to roadblocks. In view of this, the state government had sent a proposal to the Central Government requesting release of 1150 quintal wheat and 1250 quintal rice, 240 kilo litres kerosene oil for three districts but this quota is yet to be released.
Rudraprayag district magistrate Dr Raghav langar said that following State Government’s direction, the department officers have been directed to store three months’ ration quota under PDS in district godown and distribute it among PDS dealers . The process of procuring this ration is on in the district. All the card holders will be provided their three months' ration under PDS in May or first week of June. The State Government had released Rs one crore for the district to purchase food grains and other necessary items from the open market and store it at various places on Char Dham yatra routes.