BPL cards: Stir by women called off

Mandya, Karnataka, Mar 27 (UNI) The agitation by women folk, led by the Janavadi Mahila Sangha, in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office against the BPL card distribution system and 'unscientific' unit system in the cards to avail foodgrains through the public distribution system, was called off today following an assurance from the Deputy Commissioner.

A meeting of representatives of the striking organisations, called by Deputy Commissioner J Ravishankar, sought withdrawal of the stir. He assured that necessary steps would be taken for the proper distribution of foodgrains through PDS in the district, including taluk places.

When the protestors demanded immediate scrapping of the unit system, the Deputy Commissioner expressed helplessness as the orders had been issued at the Government level and said he would inform the Government about the concern of the BPL card holders.

The agitation continued till this evening, after staging a dharna in front of the DC's office the whole night. Various political parties supported the stir and took out a procession in the town.

They also staged a demonstration by cooking on the roads.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner also ordered an inquiry into yesterday's incident, in which the police resorted to lathicharge against the agitators, injuring 15 women.

UNI