KOCHI: The Aluva Taluk Supply Office witnessed high drama on Saturday when an 81-year-old man poured petrol on himself and threatened to self-immolate.
Abdul Azeez, whose family stays at a puramboke land in Edathala, threatened to take the step after the supply office allegedly delayed his application to change his ration card from APL to BPL. According to the police, the dramatic scene unfolded at 12 pm.
Azeez claimed he had been running from pillar to post with an application for a ration card and has been devoid of his rightful provisions from the ration shop because of the lackadaisical attitude of the supply office.“He is an ailing patient and has been going to the Collectorate and supply office for more than one-and-a-half years.
However, we have not been issued a card for such a long time,” said one of his relatives. The supply officer said the process of issuing a BPL card is ongoing and blamed a technical glitch for the delay.
“Azeez had gone to the Collectorate with a petition and it was forwarded to us through the District Supply Office. We have prepared a report that he is eligible for BPL status,” said AluvaTaluk Supply Officer Anil Kumar.