The Chhattisgarh government’s implementation of OTP verification for ration cards has created significant challenges for residents, particularly in rural areas. The constant struggle with poor or non-existent network connectivity is causing considerable inconvenience for both ration shop owners and consumers. This is leading to difficulties in accessing essential food supplies.
The slow network speeds and frequent network outages in rural regions are hindering the OTP-based verification process. Consequently, people are facing delays and difficulties in receiving their rations. This situation has forced many to spend extended periods at ration shops, waiting for OTPs to arrive, sometimes even for several days. This is especially hard on those who depend on the ration shop for their food security. The shift to OTP verification has reduced the efficiency of ration distribution, affecting the number of people served daily.
Complaints highlight that the previous fingerprint-based system was more efficient, enabling the processing of 30-40 customers daily. Now, only a few customers can be served daily due to OTP delays. The current system has created a situation where people may have to go hungry, waiting for days to receive their ration. A plea has been made to the government to reintroduce or maintain the fingerprint system alongside OTP verification to ensure faster and more efficient ration distribution.
Furthermore, there’s a pressing concern regarding the non-availability of kerosene in ration shops for the past eight months. Kerosene is a vital resource for many rural households. The government is urged to not only address the OTP issues but also ensure the consistent supply of kerosene to the villages.
