Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)
 
Udupi Jan 5: The general body meeting of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat here was on Friday January 4 witness to a walk- out by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members. They were protesting over the improper distribution of ration cards in the district.  

BJP member Kota Srinivas Poojary bringing up the issue and pointing out anomalies in ration card details, revealed that several poor families which did not have Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connection at their place, were shown as having LPG connection in their ration cards.  

As a result of which they were deprived of kerosene to which they were rightfully entitled to. Since their very sustenance depended on kerosene for cooking purpose they had been badly hit, he stated.  

Ironically, Poojary pointed out that those who had LPG connections, were shown as not having LPG connection. He further informed that although he had raised the issue in the last three general body meetings of the panchayat, it has been to no avail. No action has been in-fact taken in this matter, he rued.  

After many discussions, in the immediate previous meeting, it had been decided that the matter would be taken up with deputy commissioner.  According to him the written reply given in the implementation report of Friday, January 4 was misleading as it had not touched upon the main issue, he complained.  

President of zilla panchayat Raju Poojary pointed out that the written reply given by the officials proved their inefficiency. Therefore, he demanded that action could be initiated against them for their lax attitude. Moreover, this issue would be taken-up with the deputy commissioner, he added.  

Despite repeatedly taking up the matter of ration-cards, unfortunately, many aggrieved persons were blaming the ZP members for the anomalies in the distribution of ration cards, stated Srinivas Poojary. In this matter he was supported vociferously by the opposition leader Gerald Fernandes.