The new process for ration cards have left everyone in a quandary and the distribution and application process is simply adding to the confusion. “I recently had the opportunity to visit the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex (district collectorate) in Margao to collect my new ration card by surrendering the old one. Citizens, including seniors and women with kids in their arms stand in the long queue to collect ration cards. But upon reaching the counter, many are disappointed as they are told that their cards have not yet been printed. Despite queuing up for hours, the citizens are then forced to visit the counter again after one or two months. This is a serious matter which unfortunately has not deserved the attention of the Mamlatdar, Collector, MLA or Civil Supplies Minister,” said Joseph Costa from Dongorwaddo, Fatorda.
“How do random ration cards not get printed? Does this not mean that the printing of ration cards has been done in a haphazard and careless manner? Who is responsible for this mess? The citizens are harassed here only due to the neglect and arrogance of the Government. The citizens should not be made to visit the ration card distribution counter again and again. What ought to be done is that the new ration cards need to be sent to such individuals via registered/speed post by the department of civil supplies. Why should citizens suffer because of the government’s careless manner of functioning?” questioned Joseph.
In many cases, there have been issues of office equipment malfunctioning at the offices at the district collectorate and this has only added to the woes of the residents standing in line. Although in this case, locals pointed out that the staff put in an effort to attend to them whenever there were issues like the system constantly breaking down.
To assist in the process, the civil supplies office has been in coordination with the panchayats but there have been problems galore at these levels too. Sarita Fernandes from Arlem Raia, a senior citizen, lamented that she had to run around for more than two days and wait for hours throughout the day before she could get the ration card from the panchayat. Long queues, lack of coordination, being asked to return at another time, bad organisation, confusing instructions are some of the reasons that have delayed the processes at the panchayat level.
In Sarita’s case, she pointed out that that there was lack of coordination between the civil supplies office and the panchayat and this was discovered after the panchayat instructed her to check with the civil supplies office and the civil supplies office asked her to check with the panchayat and both offices gave different updates on the status of the new ration card.
At the panchayat level, there have also been allegations of discrepancies in the distribution and availability of stamp papers for delivery of cards and residents have questioned why they have to be delayed if there is a shortfall of stamps when the circular from the civil supplies clearly states that the panchayat secretary is responsible to collect the requisite stamps. It is to be noted that the circular also states that the civil supplies inspector shall coordinate with the panchayat secretary and report day-to-day progress of the distribution to the head office without fail.
