Food and Civil Supplies Minister U.T. Khader on Wednesday said that ration supply will not be stopped to those who have failed to get their Aadhaar card or those whose Aadhaar card numbers have not been seeded to ration cards.
One month time will be provided to such persons to get Aadhaar card or get their numbers seeded to the ration cards.
“Those in need should not be denied of ration supply on these grounds. A welfare state cannot allow such action,”t he Minister asserted.
Mr. Khader said that rather than stopping ration supply, officials should look at problems of people and address them.
By giving foodgrains to these people, the State government will not be going against the Central Act that makes it mandatory for people to get Aadhaar card for availing of government subsidy, he said.
Directions issued
Mr. Khader said that directions were given to all Deputy Directors of Food and Civil Supplies a week ago not to deny ration supply in such an event.
“If any complaints of denial of ration supply come to light, the Deputy Director concerned will be held responsible,” the Minister said.
Mr. Khader said that an inquiry has been initiated against Senior Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies in Mysuru in view of the alleged denial of ration supply to a resident there, he said.
Mr. Khader said that 87 per cent of ration cards has been seeded with Aadhaar card number. About 5 per cent of card holders are in the process of completing the procedure. Food and Civil Supplies officials should work together with the Revenue officials in ensuring that all card holders get Aadhaar cards and their numbers are seeded. “We hope to complete the process of seeding in a month’s time,” he said.
‘Those in need should not be denied of ration supply on these grounds; a welfare state cannot allow such action’
