Class IV employees to continue getting PDS rations: Haroon Yusuf

New Delhi, Jan 30 (UNI) Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Haroon Yousuf today said its Class IV and non-gazetted employees, who earn over Rs one lakh annually, will continue to get rations from the PDS shops in the national capital.

''Class IV employees earning over one lakh rupees will continue to be eligible for buying wheat and rice from ration shops,'' he told mediapersons after undertaking a surprise inspection of ration shops and kerosene oil depots in the Karol Bagh area.

They can buy 25 kgs of wheat at Rs 6.80 per kg and 10 kgs of rice at Rs 9 a kg per month, Mr Yusuf added.

The Delhi government order, disallowing ration benefits for Class IV and non-gazetted employees, whose annual income is over Rs one lakh, had created a furore with various political parties demanding its immediate withdrawal.

The Minister, who ordered suspension of licences of three establishments -- two ration shops and one kerosene oil depot -- for irregularities, said he would carry out more such surprise checks to ensure that the poor and the entitled were obtaining food supplies at the official price. Those found in dereliction of their duty or engaging in corruption will be punished, he asserted.

A toll-free number will soon be instituted for public to register any complaints regarding ration shops and kerosene oil, Mr Yusuf said and appealed to the people to report any problems to the control room at 23370841.

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