Govt cancels 19,58,312 ration cards

Kolkata, July 13 (UNI) The West Bengal government has cancelled 19,58,312 ration cards throughout the state because of a number of irregularities.

Stating this in the Assembly here today, Food Minister Paresh Adhikary said the government would not allow any ''fake identity'' in the state and had strengthened all possible measures in this regard.

Mr Adhikary, however, said the government had also approved 21,77,419 new ration cards after checking the authenticities.

'' The government is committed to improve the Public Distribution System (PDS) and has taken a number of steps in this regard to improve the overall food scenario of West Bengal, '' he observed.

Mr Adhikary alleged that the Centre had reduced the grants in regard to rice, paddy and other essential food items which in turn ''halted'' the PDS system in the state.

UNI