Mahasamund
In Chhattisgarh, people are forced to take government ration by risking their lives. The case is of a fair price shop of serial number-2 of Pithora Nagar in Mahasamund district. This shop is running in a building which has been shabby and damaged. People waiting for hours in long queues are not only deprived of basic facilities, but are reaching to take ration under the shadow of the possibility of accident every moment.
The public distribution system of the Government of Chhattisgarh promises cheap grains, but the ignoring of the local administration has put the people of Pithora in trouble. Neither sit in the ration shop, no drinking water, nor toilets. If someone needs a washroom, then one has to return home, which leaves their number and waste the day.
Women are the most troublesome
The Chhattisgarh government is running the Mahtari Vandan Yojana to empower women, but women are facing the most problems in this ration shop. Women stand with their children for hours in the queue. Local people say, “The administration is waiting for a major accident.”
90 lakhs earned, yet not repaired
This shop is on the land of Kaudia Cooperative Marketing Association. The institution earned 90 lakh rupees from the auction by constructing 9 shops in front of the shop and is also charging Rs 700 per shop rent every month. Despite this, the ration distribution building lying dilapidated for years was not even repaired.
When the chairman of Nagar Panchayat Pithora Dev Singh Nishad was asked about this, he said that the cooperative society should make arrangements as it is his institution. The building has been dilapidated over the years. Drinking water and seating arrangements will be made soon.
At the same time, Sanjay Kumar Gupta of the Cooperative Deputy Registrar said on the matter that it has been only two-three days to take charge. Pithora employees have been asked to prepare the estimate of the old building. The improvement work will start soon.