GPS equipped vehicles carrying PDS commodities on a bumpy track

Thrissur: It was way back in 2017 that the state government initiated a project to equip vehicles carrying ration goods with GPS system. Five years have passed, yet only around 50 vehicles out of 5,000 vehicles transporting ration goods are equipped with GPS system. Paradoxically, in the stretch of five years, the project was inaugurated four times and six orders was issued directing strict adherence to the mandate.

The project devised to curb black market is progressing at a snail’s pace. The project was pushed as part of implementing food security act.  

Meanwhile, it is important to note that for transporting ration goods, tenders are invited from parties which have vehicles with GPS facility. The tender will be given to parties having 4 to 10 vehicles. However, after entering into the contract they give excuses to avoid GPS tracking. To transport goods they won’t use these vehicles. Most contractors rely on vehicles that are not owned by them. The officials also implicitly allow this.   

Initially it was difficult to examine the vehicles on the basis of GPS tracking. The authorities had to use the link given by GPS installation companies to examine the routes. Later Department of Civil Supplies itself integrated the GPS mechanism. However, vehicles are not included into the system. This is in spite of orders directing to comply.