Every middle class man in this country has lot of expectations from the Government and the service that he receives from it. As soon as he reaches the ration shop, his expectations die out like the flame of a candle left in open air.
This has been my experience as a consumer and as a consumer activist. You could find hard-core cheats there and I am sure you can never find a second to the personalities working there. I would not want to sit and pour out my experiences, but prefer to put forth certain observations for your reference.
I. The Line of Consumers - Here you will find certain persons who have direct links with the fellows inside and then after a while you will find them jumping the line and buying things from the shop. Normally, you cannot question them, because you will never receive an answer as they are either sloshed or they are well known thugs of the area. For all you know, by the time you get your chance you are in for a plain “Not Available”.
II. The Weights - Something you will not find anywhere in the world. From the outside it looks correct, has the mark of the weight etc. Looks actually original BIS product, but then you will be in for a surprise when you turn the weight. It will be hollow on the backside. A minimum of 20 gms will be removed from the weight. Imagine if the fellow has 30 customers a day, how much money he would make on all the products.
III. The Pans and Needle on the Balance - An ideal way to cheat. First of all the pans are of unequal weights and added to that you will find a minimum of 5 to 6 gms of raw gum stuck behind the pan on which he weighs the material. The needle on top is sure to be slightly bent toward the weights side.
IV. The extra mixes in Rice and Sugar or even Kerosene - I do not think I need to elaborate on this because this is normally everywhere. The variation in the amount of mix makes the difference.
V. The entries of Purchases made for the present month and the next month – unless you are alert and can gauge the person very well, you are in for a mess in your card. He right royally makes entries for the next month too and I am sure you will require a handwriting expert to decipher his entries. All the Best.
VI. When you ask him a Question - The answer in the most indecent language with impertinence and authority. The cheeky persons have a knack of using offensive language and thereby keep off women and some decent public.
There is very little chance of receiving any response from the commissioners or the competent authorities because they also seem to have given up on them. May be consumers getting together and approaching the higher authorities could have an impact.