PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The maximum income limit for APL and Antyodaya ration cards in the State will soon be revised. Food and Civil Supply minister Rekha Arya directed officials regarding this matter on Wednesday.
Arya stated that the minimum income standards for various ration cards are outdated and have been causing difficulties for people in obtaining them. She urged officials to form a committee to review these amendments and incorporate suggestions from all district supply officers.
After the meeting, Arya informed that the dividends due to ration sellers from November will be released within a week, as a budget of Rs 39 crore has been received from the Central government recently.
Meanwhile, officials from the ration sellers’ association who attended the meeting demanded an increase in the dividend under the State Food Scheme from Rs 50 to Rs 180. The Cabinet minister stated that a proposal regarding this would be presented to the Cabinet soon. In response to the ration sellers’ demand, she directed officials to eliminate the need for manual register maintenance by June 30, making the ration distribution system completely online.
“A new software is now being used to issue ration cards and to ensure that employees do not face any difficulties, training will soon be provided to all district supply officers and inspectors. Two trainers have been called from the central government for this training,” she said.
Further, in view of the Char Dham Yatra, all district supply officers have been instructed to deliver the ration for the next three months to shops as soon as possible to prevent any delays in distribution.
Arya also stated that to ensure rations are supplied only to eligible individuals, the department is preparing to implement strict measures. There have been frequent complaints about rations being taken in the name of a family member even after their death. To address this issue, she has issued instructions to amend the government order. She emphasised that if the deceased’s name is not removed from the ration card within a certain period after reporting the death, provisions will be made for the recovery of the ration and legal action will be taken.
