Poor families holding APL ration cards in Tral, allege locals
Pulwama: Dozens of families in Pinglish area of Tral hamlet of south Kashmir’s Pulwama alleged that they have been kept in APL ration card category despite being poor and downtrodden.
Families have alleged that many people in the area who are living below poverty line have been categorized in APL category recently due to unknown reasons.
They said that despite living a dispossessed life they have been categorized into APL list.
The locals alleged that several families have been catagorised in the BPL category even though these families should be kept in the APL category.
“Despite living above poverty line but holding BPL ration cards they have availed every scheme and benefit that was in actual meant for us,” the locals alleged.
“Despite being poor and having to feed large families, we were kept in APL category,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident.
“We have approached the concerned authorities several times but to no avail,” he added.
Fazi Begum, head of another affected family said that her husband is not keeping well for some time now and all his money goes into buying medicines and other necessary items.
“How can I effort to buy food (ration) using the APL ration card. I need money for my medicines also. It is very unfortunate and difficult for me to feed my family,” she rued.
Another widow, wishing not to be named said that they have two kanals of land and have been kept in APL category due to unknown reasons.
The locals have requested the concerned authorities to look into the issue at an earliest and investigate the matter so that poor people won’t have to suffer.
Meanwhile, an official of food civil supplies and consumer affairs said that they have started investigation in this regard.
He said that if these families will be deserving, they will be included again in BPL/AAY category.
