What are the problems of the functioning of ration shops?

Problems of Ration Shop Functioning:
– Corruption and Leakages: Instances of corruption lead to diversion of subsidised food grains to the black market, denying entitled beneficiaries.

– Inadequate Infrastructure: Lack of proper storage facilities and outdated systems hamper efficient stock management and distribution.

– Irregular Supply: Ration shops face irregular and insufficient supply of food grains from the government, causing shortages for beneficiaries.

– Quality and Quantity Issues: Complaints regarding poor quality, incorrect weighing, or under-supply of food grains are common, affecting beneficiaries.

– Geographical Disparities: Limited access to fair price shops, especially in remote or rural areas, makes it difficult for marginalised communities to access subsidised food items.

– Lack of Transparency: Absence of transparent monitoring mechanisms leads to mismanagement and exploitation of beneficiaries.

– Technological Challenges: Limited use of technology for inventory management and authentication causes inefficiencies in distribution.

Addressing these challenges requires reforms such as better monitoring, technological integration, efficient supply chain management, and stringent measures to curb corruption, ensuring effective and transparent functioning of ration shops.