The state-run ration shops in Kokarajhar are witnessing long queues since early morning on Thursday with people jostling for space, defying social-distancing norms to procure 4kg rice per head free of cost.

The police and the district administration are having a tough time trying to manage the crowd as the PDS shops remained open for only three hours from 10am.

In Kokrajhar, the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), scores of people stepped out of home carrying bags to collect rice from the PDS shops throwing social-distancing norms to the wind.

Later, when the matter was brought to the notice of the administration, they were dispersed immediately. However, sources said they did not issue any specific order to the PDS shops to maintain social distancing though a blanket order is already in force.

A few shops are adhering to the norms by drawing circles in which people are standing according to WHO guidelines.

“The government should issue a necessary order on distribution or it will lead to chaos defeating the very purpose of the lockdown,” said Pallabi Sarma, a resident of Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar, who suggested door-to-door distribution of ration.

“While some PDS shops are open today, we will start distribution from Friday and ensure that people adhere to social-distancing norms while standing in queues,” Jitu Pathak, a shopkeeper who runs a PDS shop at Tangla town in Udalguri district, said.

Earlier, the Assam government had taken a slew of measures for the poor, including free rice to 58 lakh families under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) with effect from Wednesday.

Altogether 2.78 lakh registered labourers, engaged in construction, will be given Rs 1,000 as ex gratia.

As many as 100 families in rural areas — with a population of 5,000 — who are not covered under the NFSA, will also get Rs 1,000 as ex gratia.