“Only Announcement, but No Ration Distributed By Central Government”

HnExpress 18/04/2020, Amrita Sikdar, Kolkata : the entire country is locked down for fighting against the pandemic. In this lockdown condition no one will face the problem of starvation promised by Central Government. Central Government announced that will distribute ration among all who are in list in National food security act (NFSA). But only announcement, no ration distributed by central government.

But after 21 days of lockdown no distribution has been made by Central Government in West Bengal. State is getting free ration from State Government. It is to be known form state food department that, people who are under the Scheme Of National Food Security Act they will get 5 kg rice or wheat and 1 kg dal per family in every month, as per the Central Government announcement.

In that calculation 9 lakhs metric ton rice will be required and 13 lacs metric ton for 3 months. In that place 13000 metric ton rice only present in FCI Store. Promise cannot be kept with this amount of rice which given by Central Government. On the other hand State Government wants to distribute rice among all families equally. It will be an justified to distribute ration inequality.

In between the situation Central Minister Ram Vilas Paswan arrange a video conference with State Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, and Mr. Jyotipriya Mallick cleared the current situation and problem of food distribution and food shortage of State Government. FCI said Central Government is trying to distribute rice, but due to lockdown there are some problems of labour who can load and unload the food ration material.

Central Government said hundred rack rice will reach to Bengal within next 7 to 8 days. As per Mr. Jyotipriya Mullick 6 lakh metric ton needed more for equal distribution. It is not sure that rice could be distributed in this month of April. At the same time tender process of Dal is not yet completed by Central Government it also said by Mr. Jyotipriyo Mullick.