A small settlement of about 250 families in Barmer district, Rajasthan, has been devastated due to alcohol consumption. About three-quarters of the women are widows and, despite being impoverished and living below-poverty line, struggle to avail free ration from the government.
The colony is located about 15 kilometres from the city and has lost most of its men to excess consumption of alcohol, leaving their widows vulnerable and children orphans.
The remaining men work as boot polishers, drive public transport vehicles or find other daily wage jobs. However, even these men suffer serious health conditions, like cirrhosis and brittle bones, due to alcohol abuse.
The women mainly work as waste pickers, earning around Rs 200 daily.
Despite living in such conditions, many people from this settlement are being turned away from ration shops despite having valid cards.
— source downtoearth.org.in | Himanshu Nitnaware | 19 Dec 2022
