TRIVANDRUM: The ration grain distribution to tribal sections in the state is in disarray. Ration card owners from tribal divisions can avail of up to 30kg of grains. But starkly enough, only 20 kg is distributed. The 10kg leftover usually goes to the shopowner through deceitful ways or the shop owners trick the tribals into paying extra for their deserving 10kg.
These demeaning ways used against tribals came to the fore after a sudden inspection from food safety officials happened inside the tribal land. The food safety department registered a case but no investigation happened since.
This kind of incident is frequent these days in Kerala. Near Malampuzha, in the Anakallu colony, Tribals were asked to pay for their free 22kg of grain by shopowners. A complaint was registered and the food safety department started a case, but then it reached a standstill, in a trice.
Complaints of such fraud against tribals were reported in many districts across Kerala. In Palakkad, a commission took down the complaints of the tribals subjected to fraud. Later, when fear gripped the officials who gamed tribals, the civil supplies officers coerced the tribals to take back their complaints which the vulnerable ones abided to.