Shortage mars Pongal gift hamper distribution

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Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

11.01.2022

Chennai: Complaints of missing items, inferior quality and delayed distribution has surrounded the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to ration card holders.

The hamper contains 21 essential items. While initially there were complaints of missing items, now the standard of the items has come into question. For instance, some of the packets distributed at the Public Distribution System (PDS) outlet in Besant Nagar were damaged by rats. “Thankfully, we spotted it,” said Vijay Bobby, aration cardholder who raised the red flag.

On the other hand, the card holders in Chennai's neighbouring districts noticed a stark contrast between the quantity of the items promised. K Bethraj, a consumer rights activist from Kancheepuram said the packets distributed at the shops lo- cated near the collectorate at Pillayarpalayam contained only 10g-14g of cashew and 3g of cardamom instead of the 50g and 10g that were promised by the state government.

Besides, in Chennai, there was a shortage of the gift hampers resulting in serpentine queues outside the PDS outlets in Madipakkam and Kodambakkam on Monday.

F Syed, a cardholder from Madipakkam, said they were sent back home after waiting for hours. The employee at the shop attributed the delay to inadequate sugarcane supply. “Contrary to the government’s announcement, tokens for the gift hampers were not distributed. We waited the whole day at the ration shop to get the tokens. It makes no sense as those without the tokens are allowed in the queues,” he said.

A senior government official said the delay was due to the complete lockdown on Sunday, and they were taking steps to completedistribution.