Ludhiana, Nov. 25 -- The allotment of 757 ration depots in the district has been stalled for the past seven months, leaving hundreds of applicants uncertain about their future. The food and civil supplies department had invited applications until May 15, receiving over 2,000 submissions, but the process has not progressed since then, officials said.

The department had issued a notification on April 7 for new ration depots across Punjab, aimed at easing pressure on the existing public distribution system network and generating employment for vulnerable groups, including women self-help groups, widows, riot victims, persons with disabilities, freedom fighters and retired soldiers.

The notification covered both fresh vacancies and those pe...