Punjab govt strengthen PDS for 'atta-dal scheme'

Chandigarh, July 31 (UNI) Keeping in view to launch the ambitious 'atta-dal scheme' effectively in the state from August 15, the Punjab Government has made elaborate arrangements to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS).

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of the Food and Civil Supplied Department said under the scheme wheat and pulses at reduced rates would be distributed through 14,294 ration depots in the state. Out of the total depots, 5,375 are located in the urban area while 8,919 are in rural areas.

He said special ration cards would be given to all the identified 13,57,522 families in the state so that they can avail the benefit from this Scheme.

The spokesman further revealed that supervisory committees have already been constituted by the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure proper distribution and to avoid any inconvenience to the beneficiaries.

The administration in all 20 districts had issued guidelines to all the concerned officials that strict action would be initiated against the erring officials if any complaint is received regarding distribution.

He said a special control room would also be set up in the Department here to receive the complaints and also monitor the implementation of the scheme.

In order to ensure uninterrupted supply of atta-dal, the government had already purchased stocks of wheat which had been stored in the godowns of PUNSUP and MARKFED. The stock would last upto April next year.

Similarly, tenders had already been finalised and orders had been placed, to concerned parties to supply pulses (dal) in all the districts.

UNI