New Vaddem residents protest decline in rice, wheat quota
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, MARCH 29
Residents from New Vaddem on Monday evening staged a morcha in the port town in protest against the Civil Supply Department’s move to reduce rice and wheat quota for Above Poverty Line (APL) families.
The aggrieved women carried out the protest rally from St Andrew’s Chruch and later gathered in front of Mormugao Mamlatdar’s office.
Later, about 150 women confronted Joint Mamlatdar Rajesh Azgaonkar and demanded an explanation for the sudden decline in rice and wheat quota.
Helpless Azgaonkar informed the agitating women that it was the decision of Civil Supply department. He called Mormugao Civil Supply Inspector Esperanca Rodrigues, who showed the circular of the Director of Civil Supply to reduce rice and wheat quota.
It may be recalled that since March 16, the fair price shops, which earlier used to give 10 kgs of rice and 5 kgs of wheat to the APL ration cardholders, has suddenly reduced to 5 kgs of rice and 2 kgs of wheat.
The aggrieved women said big families consume 5 kgs rice in three days and wondered what they would do for the rest of the days.
However, it is a double blow for the APL cardholders, as they are already reeling under the growing inflation.
Speaking to Herald, Civil Supply Minister Jose Philip D’Souza said since income criteria has been abolished, there has been sudden hike in consumption, as before when income criteria was existing, only 70% APL cardholders were availing the ration quota, thus there was equitable distribution of rice and wheat.
“For nearly 3.40 lakh odd ration cardholders, the present rice quota is about 2,222 metric tonnes, while wheat is about 201 metric tones, which is not sufficient for the present demand,” said D’Souza.
“We have ordered additional quota of rice and wheat from the open market to fill the short supply and soon the existing quota of 10 kgs rice and 5 kgs wheat will be restored,” assured D’Souza.
He further said he has asked the civil supply director to gather data from all the fair price shops in the State to ascertain the exact position and requirement to curb black marketing of essential commodities.
