Residents pitch in for coordinated distribution of food

TNN | Apr 6, 2020, 07:40 IST

Ludhiana: As soon as discussion over wastage of food started after a video of an NGO member went viral, where he mentioned that lack of coordination was responsible for unequal distribution of food among needy, certain city residents demanded that either langars should be stopped or it should be done under one roof for better distribution.
The members also claimed that NGOs and social organisations should instead be asked to distribute medical kits for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, which are fighting at the front in these difficult times. Some even opined that the usage of funds being provided by the state government should also be made public.
A resident of BRS Nagar, A P S Mann said, “It was a serious matter if food was getting wasted in such a manner. There is requirement of strengthening of medical facilities in the district so people should contribute for that as well.” He said the city councillors and other authorities concerned should also come forward to answer the questions being raised in that viral video.
Mridula Jain, a resident of South City, said, “People involved in langar distribution and even NGO members should interact with the deputy commissioner or other authorities concerned to stop unnecessary food distribution and instead pool in for providing equipment or medical kits in hospitals.” She said she has forwarded the video to the DC for appropriate action in this regard.
A resident of Barewal Road, Anoop Garg, said any distribution of ration or food must be registered with the district administration or police so that proper record could be kept and people do not get chance to hoard groceries.
Another resident from Model Town Rajiv Sharma claimed that it would have been better if the authorities had distributed dry ration in households properly and a record should have been kept. Then there would have been no requirement for NGOs to distribute cooked food. He said in some areas during food distribution all norms were being violated and nobody cared about social distancing. So, langar distribution should be stopped for a few days.
However, MC commissioner K P Brar said, “We are trying to organise everything properly and we have requested all such people who want to serve food or grocery to contact us for avoiding overlapping.” She said whether langar service should be stopped or not will be decided at the highest level.