VIJAYAWADA: The city secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Ch. Babu Rao, on Thursday demanded that distribution of ration cards be completed as per schedule and the cards be given to all eligible persons.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Rao said that the delay in distribution of ration cards was raising doubts among people about the State Government's sincerity over the issue. There was no match between the announcements made by the Government and their implementation, he said.

Recalling the statements made by officials, Mr. Rao said that at first the officials had announced that distribution of cards would be done through 118 polling stations in the city and then reduced it to 39 centres. Only 15 centres had been opened and not even a single white ration card had been issued in the city so far, he observed.

Mr. Rao said that the officials had distributed only 449 pink ration cards, taken photographs of 1,678 applicants and issued declaration forms to 5,094 persons so far. He sought to know how they could complete distribution of new cards by July 20 and would begin replacement of old cards as per schedule.

Iris scanning system

He demanded that the distribution of ration cards be completed before the notification for the conduct of elections to local bodies.

Referring to the Iris scanning system, Mr. Rao appealed to officials to distribute ration cards in old system, as the Iris system was not functioning properly.

He also sought withdrawal of collecting fee for issue of ration cards from the poor and distribution of ration cards to migrant labourers.

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