Jharkhand: 30 lakh families stare hunger in the face

Over the last two months, Jharkhand has been affected by a crippling drought, and the people are in the middle of a severe crisis. In such tough times, Public Distribution System (PDS) schemes like the Antyodaya and Annapurnna that promise cheap grain to poor people, could have played a significant role in helping the people of the state.

But as NDTV reports, the PDS in Jharkhand is in a very bad state, and there seems to be no hope for the 30-lakh odd families covered under the schemes.

In Nagri Oraon village, just 30 kms away from the state's capital Ranchi, the reality behind the state Public Distribution System becomes apparent. Forty-five villagers were issued cards under the Antyodaya and Annapurna schemes entitling them to subsidized rice and wheat from the local ration shop.

The first set of cards came through in 2005. Four years later they are mostly blank because many of the villagers have got no ration. Even the few who did have a host of complaints.

"We get ration once in three months. If we do, even then they force us to put our thumb impressions against all months," says Jitni Oraon, a villager.

Another villager, Motilal Mahto, says, "The shop owner at the ration store mostly turns us away. He says no rations are available."

Through August, villagers have organized seven roadblocks across the three national highways leading into the capital Ranchi. Desperate in times of drought, they are now demanding their share in government schemes like never before. Cornered, the administration has promised action. "I have issued standing instructions that every poor person should get his quota of grain. Even those who don't have red or yellow cards should not be left out. If the officials do not comply, I will take strict action against them," says Governor Sankaranarayanan.

The sooner this action comes through, the better it will be for the people of Jharkhand, caught between a crippling drought on one hand, and an indifferent administration on the other.