Ration cards caught in the web

Personnel are taking a long time to process applications

People waiting at the office of Deputy Director, Food and Civil Supplies Department, for their ration card in Mangalore on Wednesday. Photo: R.Eswarraj

Mohammed Hussain from Kannur locality on the outskirts of the city is concerned over the delay in renewal of his Below Poverty Line ration card that had been issued in 2009.

“Our ration shop operator has asked me to get the card renewed in another 10 days or lose ration from the next month,” he said.

Mr. Hussain is among the many persons waiting outside the office of the Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies to get the renewed ration card. “This is the fourth day I am coming here. I hope to get the card today,” he said.

People are coming in big numbers to the office of the Deputy Director on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office for the last few days to get the new BPL card and for incorporating the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number in the ration card. Long queues are seen at the office as personnel at the Food and Civil Supplies have been taking a long time to process applications because of slowness of the computer server used for the purpose.

Among those who had come to the office included Jyothi K., a resident of Bondel, who had problems incorporating EPIC number in her Above Poverty Line ration card.

“When I sent the SMS stating the EPIC number, I did not receive any reply. I was told in Mangalore One to approach the Department, who now say my card is cancelled. They are not saying when a new card will be issued,” she said.

No guidance

Bharat Kumar from Krishna Nagar in Bondel said there were none from the Food and Civil Supplies to guide people about the process involved. “I am standing from 10 a.m. in the queue only to be told at 1 p.m. by the lady receiving application that I need to bring some addition documents for renewal.” Krishna Rai from Dambel said.

Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies C.S. Sharanabasappa said the time taken in issuance of ration cards was because of slow internet server. Each of the three food inspectors was issuing 40 ration cards per day. Mr. Sharanabasappa said they cannot add more systems as the new cards need to be issued by the food inspectors personally by taking thumb impression of the card holder.

He said there will be no question of denial of ration for the BPL card holders if they fail to get their card renewed in the next two weeks.