Neither wheat, nor pulses; the new blue cards issued under Punjab’s atta-dal scheme before the polls have more hues of ruling politicians — photograph of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon next to that of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Months after polls, the beneficiaries are awaiting both atta and dal on the new cards.

Sheikha, Kamboja and Bhattian bastis in Ferozepur City had reported a clamour for being included in the new list of beneficiaries after a fresh survey was ordered for ‘choosing’ Punjab’s poor before the elections this year.

Among the few fortunate ones to make it to the list were brothers Surjit Singh and Darshan Singh, residents of Makhu Gate area of the city. But they are yet to get any atta-dal on their new cards.

Hukum Kaur’s family of 16 living at Nayi Abadi area of Fazilka has both the cards, but rations are being provided only on the old one. “When we go to the depot and ask for atta-dal, we are told supplies have not come on the new cards,” says Mukhtiar Singh, son of blue cardholder Resham Singh, living in Anandpur mohalla of the city.

District Food Controller Sukhdev Singh says they brought the problem to the notice of the department at a meeting held last month. “The new cardholders have to be given ration within six months. First parliamentary elections and later Assembly bypolls caused the delay. Besides, some beneficiaries have not completed procedural formalities such as providing photographs,” he adds.

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