Residents of Tagore Nagar express anger as ration cards of seven members of a single family are removed without notice as authorities conduct a city-wide correction drive
MUMBAI – Residents of Tagore Nagar, also known as Hariyali Village, in the Mumbai suburb of Vikhroli are distressed and dismayed at the deletion of 500 names from local ration cards. Shockingly, the names of seven members of one family were removed, leaving them without essential ration supplies and causing distress over the erasure of an important identity.
For many, the sudden action has created confusion and worry. Households that were receiving ration regularly have now found themselves abruptly cut off, without prior information or explanation.
Waris Ali Sheikh, a resident, told Clarion India, “My son’s name was deleted. Similarly, the names of seven members of my family, including my brother and nephews, were removed, and we were not even told the reason. This is an abuse of the consumers. If any campaign is being run, the consumers should be informed in advance. The whole matter should be explained so that we are not worried, and if any evidence has to be provided, it should also be informed. Names should not just be removed, stopping the ration of poor consumers.”
Another resident, Abdullah Khan, said, “What authority does the ration department have to cut off names? If clarification is needed, they should contact us before making any changes, not delete names directly. This should be stopped immediately, and the names of consumers whose names have been deleted should be re-added to the ration card. We depend on this ration for our daily needs, and such actions put vulnerable families at risk.”
Chhidilal Jaiswal, owner of ‘Gurukarpa Dhaniya Bhandar’ in Vikhroli, confirmed to Clarion India that over 470 consumer names had been deleted. “The rationing officer says the difference is in the names between the Aadhaar card and the ration card. Because of this, consumers are confused, and many problems are arising. After correcting the names, they are being re-added, but the process takes three months, during which consumers do not get ration,” he said.
Jaiswal added, “People come to the shop asking for ration, but we have no way to provide it if their names are removed. Many families are frustrated, and some elderly residents do not understand why their names disappeared. It has created unnecessary tension in the community.”
Rationing Officer Nilesh Bhande acknowledged the complaints but said the deletions were part of a state-wide ‘correction drive.’ “The complaint of the consumers is valid. At present, not only in Vikhroli but across Mumbai and the entire state, we are matching names on ration cards with Aadhaar and PAN cards. If there is a difference, names are being corrected. Consumers who contact the ration office are being assisted. This work will continue for two months,” he said.
Bhande further added, “Consumers whose names have been deleted can contact the ration office directly. Two to four consumers come every day, and their names are corrected. We are making every effort to ensure that nobody goes without ration for long. This is a large-scale operation, but we are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible.”
Despite these assurances, many residents remain anxious, particularly those whose entire families have been affected. Local residents argue that advance notice and clear communication could have prevented unnecessary panic and distress.
Sajida Bano, another resident, told Clarion India, “We understand that corrections are necessary, but the way this has been done is unfair. People were not informed, and for families dependent on ration, this is a serious issue. The authorities should have contacted us first before deleting names.”
Tagore Nagar residents are now urging authorities to expedite the process, ensure prior notice in future campaigns, and provide accessible grievance channels. They emphasised the importance of safeguarding both the ration rights and dignity of local consumers.
Local community leaders have also appealed to higher authorities to intervene. Imam Yusuf Khan said, “This is a matter of basic survival for poor families. Cutting off ration without explanation is unacceptable. We request that the deleted names be restored immediately and that future processes be transparent.”
As the correction drive continues, residents remain hopeful that the authorities will act promptly to restore their ration rights and prevent such distress in the future.
