Food subsidy to continue in HP, says Dhawala

Nahan, Jan 27 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramesh Dhawala today asserted that the Rs 100 crore food subsidy will continue to provide cheap rations to the over 14 lakh ration card holders in the state to offset any increase in the prices of essential commodities.

Talking to mediapersons here yesterday after the Republic Day function, he said that a fresh survey to identify below poverty line (BPL) and Antodaya families would be conducted soon to make the scheme more effective.

Mr Dhawala said while all efforts would be made to provide relief to the BPL and Antodaya families, the names of the above poverty line (APL) families would be deleted after the survey.

Expressing concern over the black marketing of Kerosene oil and LPG cylinders in some parts of the state, he said the government would initiate steps to prevent this in future.

Warning of strict action, the minister said all employees of the state civil supplies corporation involved in black marketing would not be spared.

UNI XC AS HS VN1821