Port Blair, Dec 18:As a measure to provide relief to cases where husband and wife are living separately due to exigencies of service or for any other reason, the Department of Civil Supplies has decided to accept all applications for separation of the names contained in any ration card, duly supported by affidavit.
The separation of cards would be carried out immediately or within a week at the most. The original ration card would have to be submitted alongwith the application for separation of names. Sample checking of newly issued ration cards, including the separated cards, would be carried out routinely, from time to time.
This decision was taken following a close examination of the PDS Control Order 2001, in the context of several complaints of unnecessary delay received recently. The Control Order makes no mention of the term “Family Identity Card”, and provides for the issue of ration cards to enable card holders to lift foodgrain and other essential commodities being disbursed through the Public Distribution System. As is well known, the furnishing of false affidavits or falsified documents is liable to prosecution under the law.
