MAITRA, RAMBAN: Today, the residents of Maitra staged a significant protest against the Civil Food Supplies Department, demanding immediate reforms in the local ration distribution system. The protest, led by Fairoz Khan, Former National President of NSUI and State Working President of the Youth Congress J&K, brought to light the severe difficulties faced by the community, particularly marginalized groups, under the current system.
In a compelling statement, Fairoz Khan urged the Director of Food and Supplies and the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban to urgently address the situation by dividing the existing Ration Depot in Maitra into five separate panchayat-level depots. The proposed new depots would serve the panchayats of Maitra A, Maitra B, Pernote A, Pernote B, Tatrsool, and Maitra Town. Khan emphasized the necessity of establishing new four additional ration depots to ease the burden on the current single depot and better serve the local population.
The protest highlighted the longstanding issue of ration card shortages, with no new cards issued since 2012. Currently, the sole ration depot is tasked with serving 1,770 cardholders, an unmanageable load that has led to significant delays. Residents, particularly those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, are often forced to wait days—sometimes up to a week—to receive their rations, exacerbating their hardships.
Technical challenges further aggravate the situation, with frequent errors in the distribution machinery. Khan criticized the apparent indifference of government employees towards the suffering of the poor, despite their secure and well-compensated positions. "It is their responsibility to ensure that the poor do not suffer due to inefficiency and neglect," Khan stated, urging immediate action.
In response to the protest, the Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) of Ramban took prompt action by deploying additional staff to the depot, temporarily alleviating the situation. Following assurances from the department, the protestors dispersed, but the demand for lasting solutions remains strong.
Fairoz Khan has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the establishment of one ration depot per panchayat in Maitra. He warned that any further delays would only intensify the suffering of the community and called on the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant Director of Food to take immediate action to prevent further hardship for the people of Maitra.
