THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ration distribution in the state, which was in crisis due to a server failure, returned to normal yesterday. This is with the systemization of ration distribution following the five-day halt. Yesterday, 2,29,549 cardholders bought goods. The ration shops were open from 8.30 am to 12 noon in Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts and from 3.30 am to 6.30 pm in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. This schedule will continue until the 18th of this month. The decision to use the new server was made because the current server was down. The current server will be used for purposes including storing information about ration distribution and receiving applications. The server was bought during the last government at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

Ration traders should apologize for closing ration shops: Minister Anil

KANNUR: Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil said that ration traders should apologize to the people for the inconvenience caused to the people due to the closure of ration shops. "Ration delivery was partially interrupted for the past few days due to a server failure. However, the minister alleged that some with vested interests had closed down the ration shops with the cooperation of ration traders", he said. He was inaugurating the online sale and home delivery of Supplyco in Kannur.

"Ration shops are owned by the government. There are government procedures. It could not be closed as one wish", the minister added.