Well-to-do households in WGH can no longer possess ration cards

TURA, June 28: Well-to-do households, who possess ration cards and are availing the benefits under NFSA in West Garo Hills, can no longer avail the same now.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh on Monday directed concerned authorities to identify government servants who possess PHH and AAY cards under NFSA 2013 and get them surrendered, thereby accommodating economically weaker sections of the society for the benefits.
Issuing a directive in this regard, the DC informed that there are less-fortunate households under Tura Municipal area that have been inadvertently left out from Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC), 2011, hence being excluded from NFSA, 2013.
Therefore, in order to mitigate the problems of poor and needy households during COVID-19 pandemic, all President/Secretary, Development Committee, Tura Municipal area were directed to identify households who possess NFSA cards despite having one of their family members as government servant, pay professional tax, etc., and are availing benefits meant for the weaker sections of the society.
Meanwhile, a direction has also been given by the Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Shillong, to all sub-inspectors of Supply under Tura Sadar Division to conduct special drive for inclusion of the vulnerable section of the society under NFSA 2013 and also to identify street dwellers, rag pickers, hawkers, migrant labourers, homeless destitute, commercial sex workers in the district.
It may be mentioned that the DC (Supply) in 2016 and 2018 had also directed government servants to surrender their AAY and PHH cards so that poor and needy households can be accommodated in their place.