Thiruvananthapuram: Until now, tribal people in 27 settlements in Kuttichal panchayat had to travel for around 20km to buy ration items from the four ration shops located in Kuttichal Junction. But, they will not have to go through this ordeal anymore, thanks to the effective intervention of the civil supplies department.
On Thursday, civil supplies minister P Thilothaman conducted district-level inauguration of mobile ration shops for marginalized and people living in secluded forest areas.
The inauguration was held at Mannamkonam at Kottoor in Kattakada. K S Sabarinadhan, MLA, presided over the function. Kuttichal panchayat president G Manikantan, Vellanad block panchayat president S S Ajithakumari, civil supplies secretary P Venugopal and district supply officer Jalaja G S Rani among others attended the event. Heads of tribal settlements were honoured at the function.
The minister said that all eligible tribal persons will get ration. “In addition to mobile ration shops, possibility of setting up a ration shop at Podiyam in Kottoor will be explored,” the minister said. He also promised to take steps to renovate the Kottoor–Mannamkonam Road.
District supply officer Jalaja G S Rani said that the project was rolled out in Kuttichal considering the number of tribal people in the area.
“There are around 495 tribal families spread out in 27 settlements in the area. Often, they come together as a group to buy ration items from around four ration shops located at Kottoor Junction. Some have to spend around Rs 300 for the transportation alone. While the Anthyodaya ration cards make them eligible for 30kg rice and 5kg wheat free of cost, many of them skip visiting ration shops due to the tedious travel,” said Rani.
The district supply officer said that tribal promoters and rationing inspectors will fix a day for bringing the ration items in a tipper trucks to the areas. “The mobile ration shop will visit two-three areas in the locality so that people of various settlements can purchase items,” the officer said.
On Thursday, civil supplies minister P Thilothaman conducted district-level inauguration of mobile ration shops for marginalized and people living in secluded forest areas.
The inauguration was held at Mannamkonam at Kottoor in Kattakada. K S Sabarinadhan, MLA, presided over the function. Kuttichal panchayat president G Manikantan, Vellanad block panchayat president S S Ajithakumari, civil supplies secretary P Venugopal and district supply officer Jalaja G S Rani among others attended the event. Heads of tribal settlements were honoured at the function.
The minister said that all eligible tribal persons will get ration. “In addition to mobile ration shops, possibility of setting up a ration shop at Podiyam in Kottoor will be explored,” the minister said. He also promised to take steps to renovate the Kottoor–Mannamkonam Road.
District supply officer Jalaja G S Rani said that the project was rolled out in Kuttichal considering the number of tribal people in the area.
“There are around 495 tribal families spread out in 27 settlements in the area. Often, they come together as a group to buy ration items from around four ration shops located at Kottoor Junction. Some have to spend around Rs 300 for the transportation alone. While the Anthyodaya ration cards make them eligible for 30kg rice and 5kg wheat free of cost, many of them skip visiting ration shops due to the tedious travel,” said Rani.
The district supply officer said that tribal promoters and rationing inspectors will fix a day for bringing the ration items in a tipper trucks to the areas. “The mobile ration shop will visit two-three areas in the locality so that people of various settlements can purchase items,” the officer said.
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