The East Singhbhum district administration has begun cancelling thousands of passes and started a survey of vegetable vendors to prevent crowding.

“Henceforth cards issued for distribution of food for volunteers and social groups would be valid for a particular area and specific time,” said deputy commissioner (DC) Ravi Shankar Shukla. “Those distributing foods in the morning will be allowed passes between 11am and 3pm and those doing so in the evening will be allowed between 6pm and 10pm. Card holders caught moving in areas other than those specified in their passes will face legal action.”

The district administration has directed all groups and individuals distributing food to the needy to submit their area of operation at the earliest to the office of Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer Chandan Kumar.

The district administration had on Wednesday cancelled 2,500 vehicle passes and nearly 7,000 passes for distribution of food and other works. The new passes will be issued online after applying on www.jamshedpur.nic.in.

Local civic bodies in Jamshedpur, Mango and Jugsalai on Thursday started a survey of vegetable vendors.

“Now even the vegetable vendors will be issued passes specifying the location where they can sell,” said Ravi Bharti, city manager, Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee. “They will have to wear masks and gloves, else their passes would be cancelled.”