In Adilabad, a joint effort by the central and state governments to provide subsidized rice has led to a new distribution strategy. They decided to give out a three-month supply all at once before the monsoon season, which has caused long lines at ration shops. People are arriving early in the morning and waiting for their turn.
The distribution process is slow. Each person needs to go through a biometric check three times, once for each month’s quota. Additionally, rice must be weighed three times. This is causing inconvenience for both the public and the ration shop workers.
Previously, only one biometric check was needed. Now, changes in the e-POS system mean beneficiaries must authenticate separately for each month. This change is causing long delays, with each check taking 15 to 20 minutes due to signal problems. Urban areas are experiencing frustration, while in remote regions, weak signals make things worse.
Beneficiaries are becoming impatient, leading to minor disputes with the ration dealers. Both groups are asking authorities to allow a single biometric check for all three months to speed up the process.
There is also confusion about new ration cards. The previous government did not issue new cards, and the new Congress government promised to provide them to eligible people through its public program. Applications were collected, and names were noted in village meetings. However, those who removed their names from old cards to get new ones are now without rations, as they are missing from both the old and new lists.
Some individuals, despite being listed in meetings, do not appear in the final shop lists and must repeatedly visit service centers to reapply. Many are frustrated and are urging the government to quickly issue new ration cards so they can benefit from government schemes.
