If it took Antonette Dias four years to get a ration card, the fault probably lies at the doorstep of the Aldona Panchayat. Soon after she lost two children in a tragic accident at Calvim, the Aldona gram sabha had resolved to get her a ration card. Unfortunately for her, no one really bothered to follow up the matter and the card never materialized. After four years one can hardly expect the civil supplies department to remember if an application was made and the same goes for the Aldona panchayat. The surprising twist to the story was the swiftness with which the civil supplies inspector acted after the story was published in this newspaper. He made two trips to the lady’s house, collected the relevant documents and issued the card, all in a day. What this means is that when push comes to shove, government departments can deliver the goods. This was a rare case of an inspector reaching out to a woman in distress and there are many occasions when government servants have gone out of their way to help. If this efficient and empathetic way of working could become the norm instead of the exception, life for the common man would be more bearable.
