Ludhiana, June 7 -- Less than one-fifth of eligible ration-card holders in Ludhiana have received wheat since the distribution of foodgrains and ration kits for April, May and June began on May 25, with depot operators attributing the slow pace to a revised distribution mechanism involving multiple biometric verifications and separate monthly transaction slips.

According to official data, only 87,928 of the district's 4.54 lakh ration-card holders had availed wheat distribution till date, accounting for 19.36% of the total eligible beneficiaries. Against an allocation of 2.58 lakh quintals of wheat, only 47,162 quintals had been distributed.

Distribution of 'meri rasoi' ration kits has progressed even more slowly. Of the 4.54 lakh kits ...