The wait for a public distribution system (ration) card in Coimbatore is getting longer.
In the last few months, the ration card-related transaction has been one-way in that the district administration has been receiving applications.
It has not been able to disburse cards because of the shortage of holograms. The latest data from official sources reveals that around 20,000 applications are pending with the administration.
The sources say that it has written to the Civil Supplies Commissioner for release of holograms so as to start the card distribution process. The administration has carried out the verification process on the applications submitted.
The revenue inspector in-charge of civil supplies carries out the first level verification, which is vetted by the Taluk Supply Officer, the District Supply Officer and also the District Revenue Officer.
In addition to the aforementioned established procedure, the district administration has also formed special teams at a team for every 50 applications to carry out additional checking.
The process has revealed that those who applied for the cards are those who have moved out of a family after wedding to set up a new family or those who have migrated to Coimbatore from other districts, or those who are applying afresh.
These applications are genuine and issuance of cards on such applications should not be stopped citing administrative procedure or other reasons, say a few applicants.
They say that they have come to learn that the Commissioner has cited the difference in the number of cards in use in the district and the number of families according to the 2011 census as the reason for not giving the holograms.
The number of cards in use in the district is a little over 10 lakh and the number of families according to the census is nearly 9.45 lakh.
The official sources say that the census figure cannot be cited as the benchmark because it does not reflect formation of new families, does not account for migration of families into the district and, in any case, is actually the 2009 figure because the 2011 census operations were started then.
The mere difference in figures should not be construed as presence of bogus cards.
The sources also say that in reality, the district has only seen a fall in rice off take from 16,000 tonnes to 11,500 tonnes because of the elimination of bogus cards, and prevention of illegal transportation.
They also say that the granting holograms for the distribution of new cards should not be linked to the presence of bogus cards, if any.
They add that the district administration is at the job and will ensure early supply of new cards.
