The Delhi Government has decided to stop distribution of ration to those who did not avail it for three consecutive months from January to March. As per the orders, such beneficiaries will not get their quota of ration till they get their verification done by Food and Supply Officers (FSOs).
In the backdrop of the fact, as revealed by data with the department of food and supplies showing that around 4 lakh ration card holders did not collect their ration for two months , the department has taken the required measures.
For the purpose of detailed verification of the beneficiaries who have not availed rations from fair price shops in their areas for three consecutive months the government’s food supplies and consumer affairs department has directed its officials to hold a special drive.
FSOs have been directed to continue with their “statutory duties” for addition and deletion of names of beneficiaries in existing cards, and issuance, cancellation and modification of ration cards, said an official of department.
The move is followed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain directing officials in month of March to stop the cancellation of existing ration cards and to immediately put on hold the process of making new ones till further orders.
“The special drive is being conducted for detailed verification of beneficiaries who did not turn up to avail their entitled ration for three consecutive months, from January to March, and their distribution of ration be stopped from May, till they get verified from the respective FSOs,” said an official.
However, the department said after verification, if a ration card holder is found to be “genuine”, then it must be ensured that no inconvenience is caused to them and they get ration immediately.
The lt Governor’s office and the AAP government were at loggerheads on distribution of ration through electronic point of sale (e-PoS) devices earlier this year.