Lack of internet deprives 315 tribal families of ration

RANCHI: Internet facility and connectivity are not a luxury for the 315 odd families of Khuntpani block under West Singhbhum district of the state, who are going without food due to lack of connectivity. Ulirajabasa and Ankolkuti, both under the same block, are far from internet coverage area as a result of which online biometric verification of all the ration card holders is not possible at the ration dealer’s outlet.

The villagers must travel 3-4km to reach another village where the dealer has got connectivity to claim their share of food grains, guaranteed to them under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

Cardholders of Ulirajabasa did not get ration from September to December 2018, February 2019, one month in 2017 and three months in 2016. People of Ankolkuti have not received their grain entitlements for August-September and November-December 2018 because of ‘connectivity’ and other problems.

Ward member of ward number 10 from Ulirajabasa village Meiku Banra said they have to spend entire day in collecting ration whenever they plan to go to the nearby village. “Even then some of the ration cards are not linked with Aadhaar while biometric verification often fails because of poor connectivity which results in denial of the ration,” he said.

Meena Bodra, a resident from these villlages, said, “Not only do the people have to spend money on travelling, we also lose our daily wages and sometimes for two or three days. After all this hassle, biometric failure continues to deny cardholders of their grain entitlements.” Kande Purty of this village was denied his ration for the month of January 2019 as his fingerprints did not work in the PoS machine.

West Singhbhum DC Arva Rajkamal admitted having information about the hassles being faced by the villagers in remote Khuntpani block. “I have sought an explanation from the marketing officer (MO) and he is expected to submit it within 2-3 days,” he said. He added that corrective steps are being taken to ensure that no one is deprived from mandatory entitlement of monthly quota of food grains.