Ration shops are supposed to help poor people get food at low prices. But sometimes, they don’t work the way they should. People face many problems when they try to get their food. In this guide, we will explain these problems in a very easy way that anyone can understand.
What Are Ration Shops and Why Do They Matter?
Ration shops, also called Fair Price Shops (FPS), are stores that sell food grains like rice, wheat, and sugar at low prices. These shops are part of the Public Distribution System (PDS) run by the government. The goal is to help low-income families buy food without spending too much money.
In many countries like India, and also in places where food support systems exist in the U.S. (like food stamp programs), the idea is the same: give poor people access to basic food. These ration shops or food assistance programs are very important because they help stop hunger and make sure everyone gets enough to eat, especially those who don’t have a lot of money.
Common Problems People Face at Ration Shops
Even though ration shops are meant to help people, they often come with a lot of issues. People who visit these shops may face long lines, poor service, missing items, and even rude behavior from shopkeepers.
Many families complain that even after standing in line for hours, they don’t get the full amount of food they are supposed to. Sometimes, shopkeepers cheat by giving less than what is promised. Other times, the shop is closed when it should be open. These small issues add up and make it very hard for poor families to rely on the system.
Ration Shops Often Run Out of Food
One big problem with ration shops is that they run out of food very quickly. This happens because the supply system is not very strong. Sometimes, the government sends fewer food grains than needed. Other times, the food arrives late.
When food is not delivered on time, the shelves in the shop stay empty. People come to get their food but leave with nothing. For a poor family, missing even one month of food can be very painful. Hunger increases, and they may have to spend more money in regular markets, which they cannot afford.
Machines or Ration Cards Don’t Work Properly
Another issue is with the machines used in ration shops. Many shops now use biometric machines to check the fingerprints of the person collecting the food. But these machines don’t always work. Sometimes, they fail to scan the fingerprint correctly. This means that even if a person is eligible, the machine says they are not.
Also, smart ration cards sometimes don’t get read by the machine. The system shows an error, or the person’s data is missing. When this happens, the person is sent back home without food. These technical errors make life very hard for poor people who just want their basic ration.
Shopkeepers Don’t Follow Rules
Shopkeepers in some areas don’t follow the government rules. They may sell the ration food in the black market instead of giving it to the poor. This is called ration fraud or black marketing.
Other times, they lie about the quantity and say they don’t have enough stock, even when they do. They may ask people to come back the next day again and again. In the end, people give up and lose their right to the food. Corruption like this is a serious issue and hurts the people who need help the most.
Why People Don’t Always Get Their Ration
There are many reasons why people don’t always get their ration. One reason is that their name is missing from the system. Another is that their ration card is not updated with the latest information.
Also, in families where the head of the household has died or moved, others cannot access the ration. The system is not flexible or fast enough to make changes easily. As a result, many deserving people go without food.
How the Ration System Is Supposed to Work
In theory, the ration system is simple. The government buys food grains from farmers. It then sends these grains to ration shops across the country. People with ration cards go to these shops and buy food at very low prices.
Each person is allowed to buy a certain amount every month. The idea is to make sure that even the poorest families can eat. But for this system to work, every part must do its job — the government must send enough food, the shopkeepers must follow rules, and the machines must work.
Technology Issues Make Things Harder
Modern technology was added to make ration shops work better. Biometric systems, e-ration cards, and online tracking were introduced. But in reality, these systems sometimes cause more problems.
For example, if the power goes out or the internet is slow, the biometric machine does not work. In some cases, poor families are told to come back the next day because the system is down. Technology was meant to make things faster and easier, but it often makes things more complicated — especially for those who are not tech-savvy.
Internet Problems in Villages
In many rural areas, there is little or no internet connection. Since modern ration shops rely on the internet to check data, this becomes a big problem. The shopkeeper cannot access the government portal, and the machine does not work.
Because of poor connectivity, many people in villages can’t get their food on time. This is especially hard during emergencies or natural disasters when food is needed the most. The lack of digital access creates a digital divide that leaves out those in greatest need.
Old People Can’t Use Biometric Devices Easily
Older people have a hard time with biometric systems. Their fingerprints may be worn out and do not scan properly. Many of them do not understand how the new system works and get confused.
Even if someone tries to help them, the machine might still reject their fingerprint. This makes elderly people dependent on others just to get their food. A system that does not work for old people is not a fair system.
Not Enough Ration Shops in Some Places
In some villages and remote areas, there are very few ration shops. This means people have to walk long distances just to collect their food. For people with health issues or no transport, this becomes impossible.
Also, because the shop serves too many people, the lines get very long and service becomes slow. This makes the entire process frustrating and tiring, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Government Plans That Could Help
The government has started working on some plans to fix these problems. One is the One Nation One Ration Card system. This system allows people to collect their food from any ration shop in the country. So if someone moves to a new city for work, they can still get their food without any problem.
There are also efforts to train shopkeepers better, check fraud using AI tools, and improve internet connectivity in rural areas. If these plans work, then many problems can be solved. But these ideas need time, money, and the right people to make them happen.
What Can Be Done to Solve These Problems?
To fix the problems in ration shops, the government, shopkeepers, and technology providers need to work together. Better training, stronger monitoring, and simpler technology can go a long way. Also, we need more shops in remote areas and a system that works even without internet or electricity.
People should also be made aware of their rights. If they know what they are supposed to get, they can stand up against cheating. Community involvement, regular audits, and feedback from users can help make the system better for everyone.
The Bottom Line
Ration shops are meant to help poor people, but they often fail because of technical issues, human errors, and poor management. If we want the system to work better, we need to fix both the big and small problems — from broken machines to corrupt shopkeepers. Everyone should get the food they deserve without begging or suffering.
Fixing ration shops is not just about improving technology. It’s about making sure every family, no matter how poor or remote, gets the food they need to live. With the right changes and honest efforts, ration shops can truly become a helping hand instead of a headache.
