With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the coronavirus outbreak, a pandemic, extensive precautionary measures are being taken to contain the deadly virus. The Jammu and Kashmir government has implemented extensive measures including shutting down of schools, imposing travel bans and introducing a system of regular checks.
In an attempt to ensure food essentials reach families during the lockdown, the district administration in the Udhampur district of Kashmir has launched a service on Tuesday, March 24 for doorstep delivery of ration.
In order to retain the smooth functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS) during the Covid-19 lockdown, the District Administration under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Piyush Singla, IAS officer, has rolled out the innovative 'Ration on Wheels' model.
On speaking to International Business Times India, Piyush Singla said, "Despite warning public about social distancing, people are often seen thronging to buy ration and end up panic buying. This model was set up to provide people with food essentials without them having to expose themselves to the danger of coronavirus."
What is 'Ration on Wheels' model?
According to Singla, the ration will be delivered at the doorstep by ration stores, depots, fair price shop dealers of Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) in Udhampur town through volunteers.
In this initiative, rationees are asked to book their order with their concerned ration dealer over the phone from 8 am to 1 pm and ration dealer will ensure the home delivery of the order through special arrangement 'Ration on wheel' wherein volunteers are involved for home delivery of ration.
200 volunteers distribute essentials at doorsteps of families
DC Singla further added, "We have roped in at least 200 volunteers of various organisations like REKs, BS&Gs, NSS, Civil volunteers and staff from different departments like teachers. Also, spoke model with area wise distribution has been created and ward wise officers have been designated."
Ration dealers have mobilised special vehicles for which curfew passes which reads 'essential services' have been issued. Faz-Lul-Haseeb, IAS Probationer and Arif Lone AD Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs are personally monitoring the house to house distribution. Initially, in the first phase, 13 depots of Udhampur town benefitted around 60,000 to 70,000 people.
Safety of volunteers amid coronavirus fears?
On speaking about safety of volunteers, Piyush Singla said, "We have made sure that the safety of the volunteers remains our priority. There are at least 200 to 300 registered volunteers, who work from the onset of picking up essentials from depots to delivering items to families, are provided with mouth masks and hand sanitisers.
'Initiative mainly to provide free aid to underprivileged'
The public of Udhampur town is informed that Government ration stores are closed for onsite ration distribution to avoid gathering at stores and to promote social distancing in the town, people in need of ration are required to book their order with concerned ration dealer, fair price shop over the phone and the concerned dealer will make home delivery of the order.
DC Singla appealed the general public to stay at home and also said that District Administration is committed to providing them with all essential services. He also made an appeal to the general public in general and elected representatives, in particular, to identify poor and destitute who don't have any source of income at this time of crisis so that free aid can be given to them.
DC further added that all kind of essential commodities, services shops, business establishments like Grocery (Retailers, Wholesalers, Distributors) Dairy, Fruits, Vegetables, Chemists etc shall be allowed to operate from 7 am to - 10 am and 5 pm -7 pm in Udhampur town and Kirana shops not ensuring home delivery shall be closed.
