Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

Ration cards: confusion still

Special Correspondent

Applicants have to wait for about 20 hours over two days

ONGOLE: As chaos and confusion reigned at the Designated Photograph Location (DPL) centres, people had to wait for nearly 20 hours spread over two days to get their new ration cards. A visit to the DPL centre at Ghosha hospital here revealed their plight. A 60-year-old woman said that she had to wait from 8 am to 8 pm to get her iris registered in the computer on Wednesday. She spent eight more hours on Thursday to collect her ration card with photo identification.

A man said that he had to go from one counter to another not knowing the procedure to be followed at the DPL centre. After waiting for 2-3 hours, some exasperated persons broke into the computer room and picked up a row with the staff and it further delayed the process. Yet another woman pleaded for early disposal saying she suffered from nervous disorder. Another man bitterly complained that he lost his wage for four days as he had to wait at the DPL.

The procedure

The revenue officials admitted that the procedure was cumbersome. But they had to follow it even though people faced untold hardship. What is the procedure? Teams visit the houses to record the details about number of family members, occupation, annual income etc on the survey card. They issue a slip to the family. The family members are required to go to the DPL centre at the given time carrying the slip. They should exchange the slip with the card at the first counter. They have to show the card at the second counter and pay Rs. 40 towards charges. They should then go to the computer centre with the card. The applicants are called one after the other to register their iris in the computer. Data operator enters the family details into the computer. The computer issues the ration card. They should get the card signed by the deputy tahsildar sitting outside.

While it takes 12 hours to get the iris registered, it is taking 6-8 hours for data entry. It is stated that they are asking 200 people to come to the centre whereas they can enter the data of only 100 persons per day. Officials feel the number of cards per day should be limited. But the administration is determined to issue cards at least to the families without cards by August 10. It is felt that there is need to simplify the procedure and appoint volunteers.

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Ration cards: confusion still

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