Pune, 9 July 2025: Allegations of contaminated food grains being distributed through ration shops in Pune have triggered serious concerns about the safety and efficiency of the public distribution system. The issue was raised in the state assembly after a case emerged in Dhankawadi where citizens received wheat and rice reportedly mixed with cement, raising questions about storage practices and food safety.
The incident revealed that food grains and cement were stored together in the same warehouse, leading to cross-contamination. Following complaints, the food supply department confirmed the matter and removed the cement bags from the affected shop. The city has around 672 such shops, increasing the risk of similar cases going unnoticed without stronger monitoring mechanisms.
In addition to safety concerns, technical problems in the department’s digital systems are creating further hurdles for citizens. The ration card management system often suffers from slow performance and outages, making it difficult to issue new cards or correct existing records. A lack of a full-time rationing officer for Pune city has made it harder to manage these issues efficiently.
Many citizens have been denied foodgrains for months due to fingerprint mismatches and errors in biometric authentication despite linking their Aadhaar cards to their ration cards. Even after completing the required steps, several users found their names missing from the ration list or were unable to authenticate their identity using the digital devices at shops.
Activists have pointed out that excessive reliance on biometric technology is excluding many vulnerable people from accessing their entitlements. Those without smartphones or digital literacy struggle to complete the Aadhaar-linking process, and face recognition systems are not proving reliable. There is a growing demand to exempt essential food and nutrition schemes from such technology-based barriers.
