Impoverished families claim being left out

Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 6

People from impoverished families, residing in slum localities and industrial areas, claim they were not receiving ration released by the government.

They alleged that ward leaders preferred their party workers over others. They said those residents who have political links were supplying ration to their party workers and sympathisers thereby ignoring their needs.

Anil, who earns livelihood by whitewashing, said he was unable to earn after the imposition of the curfew. Scared, people were reluctant to let outsiders enter their homes in the present circumstances, he said.

A resident of Inderpuri, he said he came to know of a mohalla leader distributing supplies to their favourites in the locality. He said his locality leader had direct access to influential leaders and people also approach him at the time of disputes in their families and neighbourhood.

Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Dhapai, said he earned a living by working as an artisan at a power loom. He said he is paid per metre cloth manufactured. Since the power loom was closed immediately after the announcement of the lockdown, his earning had come to a naught.

Rajesh Honey, former president of the district unit of the BJP, accused the Congress leaders of ignoring families aligned with the saffron party, Akali Dal, Left and AAP while distributing ration supplies. He said the Congress party workers and even sympathisers were preferred instead.

He said such complaints were constantly pouring in including the one from Muslimganj, Mustafabad and other areas of the city.

He said his party leaders were getting meals cooked and distributing it among the needy on their doorstep.

He said BJP district president Suresh Mahajan, with the assistance of the management of Shivala, was distributing meals, while his other party leader from Chheharta area Manish was distributing meals in his area. Rajesh had engaged six staff members in cooking meals and distributing it in different localities for the past 11 days.

Amarjit Singh Asal, a Left leader, said people stuck in focal points and other industrial areas were those who were waiting for ration supply. He hit out at those living in slums and hoarding ration without sparing a thought for the needy in their neighbourhood. He condemned the attempts to play politics during corona pandemic.

Jatinder Sonia, president of the District Congress Committee (urban), vociferously denied the allegations. She said the entire distribution of ration supply was transparent. She said the district administration approached SHOs, who further contacted councillors to identify those who were in need of ration in their areas. Councillors make lists and beat officers cross-check it.