EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 16: The distribution of ration, which is being provided to the beneficiaries as well as to the migrant labourers amid lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic by the existing ration depots, has not been running smoothly due to sudden increase in the number of beneficiaries, which has put extra burden on distributors. The addition of migrant labourers along with permanent ration card holders has been causing huge rush in depots putting risk of COVID-19 and it has been taking lot of time to get ration for the people due to which the need of separate ration depots for migrants labourers is being raised.
Sources told Early Times that every ration dealer has been given distribution of more than 400 rations cards holders in their areas and in many areas the number is 500 to 600. “Government has been providing free as well as regular ration to the existing card holders but now the migrant labourers, are also getting ration from nearby ration depots wherever they are residing, which has created rush and slowed down the distribution system at dealers’ point,” they said, adding that in order to ease out the problem, government should open separate ration depots in those places where migrant labourers have been residing, which will minimize the burden on existing ration depots and will help in streamlining the distribution process.
They further said that opening up of new depots will also provide employment to youth. “There are some areas where huge population of migrant labourers reside like Shastri Nagar, Railway Station, Belicharana, Raipur Satwari etc. where need of opening up of such ration depots have become necessary. As the current situation, which has arisen due to COVID-19 will take time to be normal and retaining migrant labourers in Jammu will be a great challenge, so in such circumstances, hassle free distribution of ration to these lot will be important,” they informed. |
