Hyderabad: Though the ration portability scheme, which allows people to avail their rations from any outlet across the state, was implemented in the Greater Hyderabad circle from June 1 last year, many outlets in the city are sending beneficiaries back denying the service. There are also complaints that many outlets are not supplying all items entitled to the consumers.
Officials of the civil supplies department said the scheme was first launched in Hyderabad on a pilot basis and then implemented across the state. They said the scheme evoked good response from the public.
The ground reality is different. Mr Douglas Merandez, a senior citizen from AS Rao Nagar, said, “Our regular ration shop remains closed for more than 10 days without any information. So, we approached another shop at Arun Colony to collect ration. The dealer sent us back saying that they were running out of stock and were not supplying ration to people who were not listed at that shop.”
Mr Merandez said these shops were not supplying all items they were supposed to provide. Many ration shops in the city supply two varieties of pulses, tamarind and kerosene too, he said.
Mr Akun Sabharwal, commissioner of civil supplies, said, “This is the first time we are receiving such a complaint. Ever since we implemented this scheme across the state, we have been receiving only positive responses. We will look into the issue and solve it. Without any exception, all the ration dealers must implement this scheme.”
Mr Sabharwal said his department was supplying extra stocks to ration outlets to meet the additional demand created by migration from rural areas to the city. The dealers are supposed to make an estimate and submit it to the department if they need extra stocks. They cannot get away with the excuses, he said.
