Strong resentment is brewing among the Manikapatana villagers who were made to trek miles to collect monthly subsidised food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

They alleged that they have to spend double the money spent for the subsidised ration just to reach at the retail centres.

As many as 42 beneficiaries of Manikapatana panchayat under Aul block are facing the hardship. The dealer’s retail counters are more than 20 to 25 km from their villages.

“Though we have the facility to collect the food grain from the nearest dealer, yet we do not enjoy the same. Due to the callous attitude of the concerned authority, we were allotted a dealer, who is 20-25 km away,” alleged Padmanav Panda, a beneficiary.

Over last four months, the 42 beneficiaries, including several elderly women, of Manikapatana panchayat are going to the far-off retailer counters located at Gobindapur,Koladiha and Mahu Gram panchayats, alleged Pramila Parida.

They have to spend each Rs 50 for the to-and-fro journey every month to get the rations, stated Sarat Kumar Rout.

“We have brought this to the notice of the officials concerned to solve the problems. From Panchayat office to district collectorate, we have knocked at their doors of every office, but in vain,” alleged Padmanav Panda.

However, sources said this just a tip of an ice-berg. For, more than 1,200 ration card beneficiaries of 32 panchayats under Aul block have been facing the same fate and there is no relief.

When contacted, District Civil Supply Officer Ramnath Sahu stated that he had directed the BDO of Aul to take steps for tagging the beneficiaries with the nearby retail counters.

The Civil Supply department has asked to submit their applications before their respective Marketing Inspectors so that it would be rectified online within a day, said Sahu.