Nagpur: If the sources are to be believed, after denying the supply of sugar at nominal prices to BPL card holders, the State government is, allegedly, considering denial of Kerosene as well. The decision has been taken considering the fact that the expenditure and lifestyle of many people of this section of society has developed in past few decades. As a result of which, some started moving to malls and other shops for meeting daily needs. The same had, in turn, increased the black marketing of stocked goods.
The items were then purchased by big shopkeepers and held in stocks to create a price hike. Same created huge problems not only for the people who were relying on government supply shops for purchase, but also for the middle class section. The government is thus decreasing supply of stocks in shops to avoid black marketing.
Recently, the government had already denied the supply of sugar at Rs. 27 per kilogram to BPL card holders. The same was already discontinued for the APL card holders seven years ago.
The announcement has created mayhem in 75000 BPL card holders of the city, most of whom still depend on the government supplies. The new policies of government are also creating issues for the people. One of which is installation of ‘Point-of-Sale’ machines in ration shops. The government has installed these machines in Ration and Kerosene shops of the city. According to the rules, items will now be granted only after the verification of finger prints of the primary card holder. The same has created a huge problem for the families in which card holder is old, disabled or unhealthy, who are unable to visit the shop. Also, most of the registered people are daily wage labourers whose finger prints often don’t match and are denied of the supplies. To add to the misery, most of the shop owners are not ‘tech friendly’ and are unable to put proper use of the installed machines. Amongst all these new rules and policies, it is the people of society depending on government supplies for a meal, who are suffering.
