Four special camps in Taluk offices and 50 Common Service Centres have been set up to facilitate proper disbursement of relief amount to ration card holders.
During a press meet held on Monday, Puducherry District Collector D.Manikandan said that the government had announced Rs. 4,000 each for the ration card holders. So far, nearly 92 per cent of relief amount has reached the beneficiaries.
The 20,000 ration card holders who had not given the bank account details have not received the money. The District Collector requested those who do not have bank accounts to immediately open an account in a nearby public sector bank.
Instruction to bank officials
“To facilitate this process, we have instructed bank officials to open special camps in order to help open bank accounts for these ration card holders on priority basis and on the same day. They should not force them to provide more documents,” he said.
The four special camps in the four Taluk offices will work for the next 20 days. “Those with Aadhaar number and bank account details can go to these facilitation centres in the Taluk offices and submit the details. These details will be registered and money would be deposited in their accounts immediately,” he added.
In addition, there will be more than 50 Common Service Centres to link the database of ration card, bank account and Aadhaar numbers. People can also approach the Deputy Collector office and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Office for information. They can visit any of the nearby Common Service Centres for help.
Besides, there were also a few complaints from the people who had already submitted the bank account details that they have not got it. After discussions with the bank officials, it was found that money was not deposited in bank accounts that were dormant and to those people who had submitted account details of their deceased family members. In such cases, they are requested to reactivate the account or open a new one in a nearby public sector bank.
“The beneficiaries who had given us bank account and Aadhaar number, we have already sent them money. In another two to three days, we will reach out to 100 per cent beneficiaries,” he said.
On the other hand, Tahsildars have been directed to collate correct information on the damages to households and provide proper information to public on who the beneficiaries are through their websites.
A test audit will also be conducted through the District Collector Office and a special team has been formed to check any discrepancies. “All the relief money should reach the public in 30 days,” said Mr. Manikandan.
With regard to encroachments of water bodies, public meetings were held to discuss the matter on Monday. The details of these discussions would be sent to the government for action.
