Resume ration card renewal: association

Kozhikode: The authorities should accept applications for renewal of ration cards, All-India Ration Dealers Association national general secretary Babychan Mukkadan said here on Tuesday.

Applications for correction should also be accepted. The decision to stop accepting applications at Civil Supplies Department offices, on an order by the Secretary for Food, is causing hardships to the public, he said.

All offices had recently displayed notices announcing that the services would be suspended. Nearly four lakh applications for new ration cards are pending. Of the 86 lakh families eligible for ration cards, about 70 lakh had been issued laminated cards, he said.

People would not be able to apply for gas connections and avail of various medical and education benefits without ration cards. The problems arising out of the delay in issuing new ration cards could be solved by issuing temporary cards and making corrections subsequently, he said.