There is a huge demand for white ration cards despite the fact that there are already 1.38 crore cards in use.
The government distributed more than 1.81 lakh cards during the recently concluded Janmabhoomi-maa vooru programme, taking the number to a whopping 1,40,70,242.
The State government was apparently on the distribution spree at the Janmabhoomi programme, which is touted to be an innovative one in the entire country. On average, at least two persons were handed over the cards in each of the 93,000 grama sabhas conducted from January 2 to 11. Not less than 10,000 cards were distributed on each day.
The officials estimated that 59.53 lakh people took part in the Janmabhoomi activities.
It is evident that the cards distribution drew thousands to the grama sabhas compared to other activities such as health camps, distribution of spectacles, discussions, competitions, exhibitions and cultural programmes.
The grievances/petitions rose by 210% on 10th day of the programme compared to the first day.
Krishna district stood first in uploading the grievances with 99% while Prakasam is at the bottom of the pyramid with 61%. The attendance of people, however, did not match.
The attendance increased by only 176%. The officials, however, have a different take on this. “The people who attended the programme once need not attend on successive days,” said an official.
Also, the government received 1,80,333 applications/petitions for ration cards at the grama sabhas. Of this, 61,010 were addressed. Interestingly, the applications received for housing and house sites are either close or less than the number of applications received for cards. “More than 2.10 lakh people applied for housing, while more than 1.21 lakh applied for house sites,” says official data.
The government distributed more than 12 lakh cards in the2015 Janmabhoomi and a similar trend was seen in successive years. Interestingly, the increasing demand for white ration cards, issued for the below poverty line (BPL) families, apparently negates the development story that the government claims.
The government has been claiming double digit growth ever since it took reigns of Andhra Pradesh. Of the population of 49.67 million as per 2011 census (close to 5 crore), there are 1.40 crore ration cards. In other words, a sizeable chunk of the population comprises BPL families.
