Delhi Govt to supply subsidised pulses through PDS for BPL familiies

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) In a bid to bring relief to poor families in Delhi, reeling under hike in prices of daily commodities, the Delhi Government today decided to provide pulses at subsidised prices to them.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

At the meeting, the Delhi Cabinet took a major decision of providing two most consumed Dals at 25 per cent subsidy on market price to the poor families in Delhi as persons living below poverty line, residents of Jhuggi clusters and resettlement colonies were facing lot of difficulties due to increase in the prices.

Talking to mediapersons after the Cabinet Meeting, Ms Dikshit, underlining the commitment of her Government to provide essential commodities to the economically weaker sections at most reasonable rates, said Arhar Dal and Chana Dal would be supplied through the Public Distribution System.

Four kilogram of Dal, two kilogram each of Arhar and Chana, per card per month on subsidized rates would be provided to BPL, Antyodaya(AAY) and Jhuggi Ration Card(JRC) holders. In all, 5,04,336 families would be benefited which includes 3,78,947 BPL families, 57,336 AAY families and 68,053 JRC families.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this would provide substantial relief to the poor families. The Dal would be procured either from Kendriya Bhandar or from any Government nominated agencies as these items are not procured by the FCI.

Ms Dikshit said Arhar Dal would be made available at the rate of Rs 24.75 and Chana Dal at Rs 27.75 per kg. against their present approximate market rates of Rs 33 and Rs 37 per kg respectively.

She added that this would help in ensuring minimum level of nutrition to the underprivileged of Delhi.

Delhi Government would have to bear an amount of Rs 1,76,51,760 approximately per month to provide subsidy on Dals.

The Delhi Government had also increased monthly quota of kerosene oil from 8 to 22 litres for cardholders of these three categories.

The decision to provide subsidy on pulses follows close on the heels of the Delhi Government making available two most consumed Dals to all the residents of Delhi, irrespective of their economic status, through Kendriya Bhandar and Mobile Vans stationed at all rationing offices.

The Department of Food and Supplies of the Delhi Government at present is involved in providing subsidised food articles at prescribed rates to the cardholders of Delhi.

However it is providing only four commodities i.e. wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene oil through its PDS.

UNI