TRIPUNITHURA: “Sir, I am a panchayat president and this is the third time I am here for getting my ration card”, the middle-aged woman told the Kanayannur Taluk Supply Officer.
“Madam there is no distinction here. Though the number cards to be issued in a day is forty, we are dealing with hundreds of applications. You are in the queue and will surely get yours when the turn comes”, the Supply Officer replies.
This is not a one-off incident.This is the regular scene at Kanayannuur Taluk Supply Office here, which has to deal with the applicants from 11 panchayats and four municipalities.
The average number of applicants queuing up in front of the Supply office on Wednesday -- the day meant for issuing new ration cards -- are anywhere between 400 and 500. But, the the officers are able to serve only 40 to 50 applicants .
“To deal with this, what we have is just four clerks, two Class IV staff and a defaulted computer”, said the Supply Officer.
