Maharashtra: Saffron card holders from other districts denied ration

Ardhra Nair | TNN | Updated: May 4, 2020, 07:14 IST

Picture used for representational purpose only

PUNE: Confusion over eligibility for ration prevails in Baner-Balewadi area despite announcement by state minister for food and civil supplies Chhagan Bhujbal that those having saffron ration cards must be given ration even if their Aadhaar cards are not linked.
Lack of ration shops and insufficient stock are also among the problems faced by people in the area. Since there are no ration shops in Baner-Balewadi, a school has been temporarily converted into a ration distributing centre. The centre is not open throughout the day and people from other districts are not provided ration, despite having ration cards. “I have a saffron ration card from Solapur but when I went to Balewadi and then to the Someshwarwadi ration shop, I was told that people from other districts cannot get ration,” said Ashok Gaikwad, who hails from Solapur, but currently lives near Someshwarwadi.
Jyoti Bamgude, who runs the Someshwarwadi ration shop, said, “In my shop, stock arrives for about 500 card holders. The stock is distributed to the local card holder’s first.”
Asmita More, foodgrain distribution officer for Pune, said, “There were four ration shops in Baner-Balewadi area. Licences of two were cancelled due to irregularity, while the other two surrendered their licences. Hence, we started giving ration in Balewadi school. While we have told shops to remain open from 8am till 8pm, police don’t allow them to operate late in many places .”
More said, “We will sort out the complaints. People can also call the control room and lodge a complaint.,” she said.