Dear Editor

I am very happy to read about the whole question of right to food and the targeted PDS, in the columns of MEL. 

I live in a slum colony in New Delhi. In 2007, I filled a form for the renewal of my ration card standing in blazing sun, in a long line.  We got a receipt from the ration office. On the basis of this receipt, we received rations for a year. However, since August, the ration shop owners have stopped giving rations on the basis of this receipt.

The officials in the PDS offices in Delhi never bother to explain to the people what the problem is. They deal with us with contempt, as if we are beggars. They never give us a response. The people in our colony and other such slum colonies are forced to spend hours and hours, days and days, as well as a lot of our hard earned money chasing our card. 

I am happy that CGPI is fighting for the right to food for the toilers. The party is presenting the whole problem in clear terms before the people. It is organizing discussions amongst the people on the government’s policy on this issue. It is explaining to people the source of their problems.

Zahir Khan
New Delhi