Bhatkal: The Food Department introduced a one-week window commencing from August 19 for online ration card amendments.

This online platform offers the convenience of modifying ration card details, encompassing actions like name removals, address updates, and name corrections or additions. However, technical glitches causing server failures have forced citizens to endure lengthy waits at cyber centers daily.

In the aftermath of the state assembly elections held in May, the amendment process for ration cards was temporarily suspended. Resuming after a four-month hiatus, the online correction window is unfortunately limited to just one week, prompting considerable apprehension among the public.

Ration cards hold paramount importance for accessing the state government's recently launched initiatives - the Anna Bhagya and Gruha Lakshmi schemes. Consequently, citizens are keen to expeditiously revise their ration cards to capitalize on these offerings. Many individuals are particularly inclined to visit cyber centers to eliminate the names of deceased family members from their ration cards and update the head of household's information. This alteration is pivotal for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, designed to extend benefits to the female head of the family as designated on the ration card. Additionally, people aspire to include their children's names, along with abbreviated family names, on the card.

In pursuit of these changes, residents are putting their daily commitments on hold, forming queues at cyber centers. Nevertheless, a substantial number of individuals have expressed frustration over waiting in line for three days only to find the matter of ration card validity unresolved. Consequently, the public is urging governmental representatives, social organizations, and the taluka administration to promptly address this issue. Their collective plea is for a swift resolution, granting unimpeded access to government benefits.

It is pertinent to mention that "Gruha Jyothi" stands as the flagship initiative of the Government of Karnataka, offering free electricity up to 200 units for every residential household in the state. Meanwhile, the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, a novel endeavor by the Karnataka government, aims to empower women heads of families. Through this scheme, eligible women receive a monthly financial grant of ₹2000.