BHOPAL: Government’s decision to rope in fair price shops for Covid-19 vaccination has not been a ‘contentious’ issue so far in city, but it has added to confusion among some PDS retail suppliers.
In some rural parts, there is a confusion ‘whether ration should not be provided to those who are not fully vaccinated.’ Though the order of the state governemnt clearly talks about ‘informing’ people that vaccination ‘will be’ mandatory for getting ration.
There are 4.9 crore people of 1.15 crore families who are connected through public distribution scheme in the state. The orders of November 8 is aimed to achieve complete vaccination target by year end which is becoming difficult with every passing day as less than required vaccination is happening in the state since October.
“We are ready to advise people and are doing so. But, so far, I have distributed 60% of my ration for this month and have not found a single person who is not fully vaccinated. We will have to maintain records of those who are not fully vaccinated and also advise people to get vaccinated. So far, we have received no such order asking us not to provide ration to people not vaccinated,” Vasisth Kushwaha a ration shop owner in Bagh Sewania locality told TOI.
Similar sentiments were expressed by other fair price shop owner Amarjeet Singh Dhillon, who runs a shop in Saket Nagar locality. Dhillon said, “We cannot deny ration to anyone. But will have to maintain records of those who are not fully vaccinated. However, records will only be maintained till people who are not fully vaccinated come to shops. So far, those who have come are fully vaccinated, people are showing certificates on their mobile phones.”
The order issued on November 8, reads that all the fair price shops of the state will display necessary instructions for vaccination, as there is record of the family members in the ration cards, the fair price shops will also enquire and maintain a record of those who have not been vaccinated with first or the second dose and will inform the nearby hospitals, read the order.
The order also said, “Fair price shop owners will inform people that it ‘will be’ mandatory to get fully vaccinated for getting ration”.
