Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 19: Mr. S. Tejeswara Rao, Chairman of the All India Congress Committee’s Unorganised Workers and Employees Congress, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has urged the Lieutenant Governor and Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA) to intervene urgently in the issue of blocked and inactive Ration Cards and ensure time-bound updating of Islander Cards across the Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor and Vice-Chairman of IDA, through the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Rao highlighted the difficulties allegedly being faced by thousands of families, particularly economically weaker households and workers in the unorganised sector.
The letter stated that Ration Cards and Islander Cards are essential documents for residents, as they are linked to food security, welfare benefits, access to public services, travel and other essential requirements.
Mr. Mr. Rao pointed out that despite repeated applications through CSCs and concerned offices, a large number of genuine Ration Cards have reportedly remained blocked or inactive for months, and in some cases for more than a year, without applicants being provided with a clear reason or a time-bound solution.
As a documentary example, the letter referred to a family whose Ration Card has allegedly remained blocked for more than a year despite repeated applications for reactivation.
According to the letter, in the cited case, the name of one daughter was removed or surrendered from the family Ration Card following her marriage, after which her name was included in her husband’s Ration Card in Andhra Pradesh. However, the Ration Card of the remaining family members in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continued to remain blocked and had reportedly not been reactivated despite repeated representations.
Mr. Rao stated that the cited case was only one documented example and claimed that thousands of families may be facing similar difficulties.
The Congress leader has requested the Administration to conduct an immediate special drive to identify and clear all blocked and long-pending Ration Cards and reactivate genuine and eligible cards on priority after necessary verification.
He also sought that applicants be provided with the specific reason and status whenever a Ration Card is blocked or kept pending, so that genuine beneficiaries are not left waiting indefinitely.
The letter further called for a special drive for renewal, correction and updating of Islander Cards, including the addition of children and other eligible dependent family members.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by residents of remote and outlying islands, Mr. Rao said that the Islander Card has become an important requirement for travel, access to essential services, medical and emergency travel, family-related requirements and various government facilities.
He emphasised that residents of geographically isolated islands should not be compelled to make repeated visits to government offices or wait for years for essential welfare documents to be reactivated or updated.
Mr. Rao urged the Lieutenant Governor to treat the matter as a priority public welfare issue and ensure a swift, transparent and time-bound solution for all eligible families.
He said that immediate intervention in the matter would provide much-needed relief to thousands of families, unorganised workers and genuine residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
