'Atta-Daal' scheme in Punjab to be launched on Aug 15

Chandigarh, May 7 (UNI) The countdown for the implementation of the Punjab Government's ambitious 'Atta-Daal Scheme' (wheat flour and pulses scheme) would be launched on August 15 this year.

Under the scheme the government proposes to provide 'atta' and 'daal' at Rs 4 per kg and 'daal' at Rs 20 per kg respectively to families whose annual income is not above Rs 30,000.

Announcing the details of the scheme at a media conference here today, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that the government had already procured six lakh tonnes of wheat for this scheme. The random verification of the survey to identify eligible beneficiaries would be over by the end of this month, he added.

The requisite quantity of 'daal' was also being procured through the State Trading Corporation and this process was likely to be completed within 45 days, he added.

Earlier the Chief Minister held a meeting with Deputy Commissioners of the state to discuss the modalities of the scheme. The meeting was also attended by Food and Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon.

Ridiculing those who had been accusing the government of backtracking on the scheme, the Chief Minister said that such people had little idea of the logistics and other practical details of the scheme. ''Let it be understood once and for all, there will be no going back on the scheme, whatever may be the cost,'' he added.

A whole new system including elaborate distribution, infrastructure had to be put in place for the smooth and efficient implementation of the scheme, he added while refering to the reason why the implementation of the scheme had been delayed.

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