Atta-Dal scheme: Blue card holders await grain despite paying up

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 30

Raising queries over the efficacy of the system evolved to distribute grains under the Atta-Dal scheme of the state government to blue card holders, the beneficiaries residing in Chohkan Kalan locality that comes under ward number 9, alleged that they have not received the grains in spite of paying the money.

The beneficiaries alleged that a depot holder of the area has already taken money from them towards the end of the March with an assurance that the grains would be distributed within a couple of days. Yet the grain has not been distributed till date.

There are around 50 beneficiaries, who have been waiting for the grains to be distributed, and have already paid Rs 180 for 90 kilograms of grain.

Nasib Chand Bubby, a resident, said, “His mother Mohinder Kaur (70) has already paid the sum of Rs 180 for 90 kg of wheat. They provided us with a slip which looks dodgy and asked her to wait for a couple of days before they distribute the wheat to us. Yet, nothing has been done so far.”

Another woman of the same locality said benefits have not been provided to them in spite of having paid the money in advance.

Ashwani Sikka, a ration depot holder, said, “The money has been received. However, the grains could not be distributed due to certain reasons which would soon be sorted out.”

Narinder Singh, District Food and Civil Supply Officer, said, “After receiving the money, we got a notification from the Punjab government that the benefits would only be distributed by the vigilance committee. Therefore, we could not proceed. Meanwhile, the vigilance committee is expected to be constituted by Monday and the grain will be distributed thereafter.”

Endless wait for 50 beneficiaries

There are around 50 beneficiaries, who have been waiting for the grains to be distributed, and have already paid Rs 180 for 90 kilograms of grain.