Ration supplies hit at Edamalakkudy panchayat

Ration distribution at the first tribal panchayat in Edamalakkudy, Idukki, has taken a hit after the ration distributor stopped collection of supplies owing to mounting dues.

Devikulam Girijan Co-operative Society, which is in charge of the ration distribution at Edamalakudy, stopped distributing ration at the tribal hamlet after the Scheduled Tribe Development department failed to clear the outstanding transportation costs, amounting to ₹26 lakh.

Sanjaynath R., civil supply officer of Devikulam taluk, said the Civil Supplies department delivers advance ration for two-and-a-half-months at Pettimudi, a crucial access point to Edamalakkudy, every month. Girijan society then transports supplies from Pettimudi to Edamalakkudy and distributes them among the ration cardholders. The Scheduled Tribe Development department reimburses the transportation expenses.

“Most cardholders collect their supplies from Societykudy and Parappayarkudy ration shops in Edamalakkudy after a two-to three-hour hike. Last week, they did not receive any supplies. Following this, the tribal women staged a protest in front of the ration shop at Societykudy. Recently, the Devikulam supply officer wrote a letter to Edamalakkudy panchayat president, to explore the feasibility of cardholders collecting supplies directly from Pettimudi. However, this was termed impractical considering the distance and terrain,” said a source.

Meanwhile, District Collector V. Vigneshwari has urged the Civil Supplies department to explore the possibility of distributing ration directly to the residents of Edamalakkudy.

District supply officer Baiju K. Balan said that Munnar Supplyco officer has been directed to prepare an estimate for the transportation of ration goods from Pettimudi to Edamalakkudy. “The society has been to collect the items already stored at Pettimudi and distribute them among the tribespeople,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tribal department officials said steps will be taken to distribute transportation expenses soon.

According to officials, there are a total of around 800 cardholders in the Edamalakkudy panchayat. “Food items are distributed free of cost but not kerosene. As there is no electricity connection for 500 families in the settlement, they are eligible to get six litres of kerosene each month. However, as the Girijan society’s is unable to pay for the kerosene upfront due to lack of funds, the families are not receiving their kerosene allotment since 2023,” said an official.