Misuse of benefits under PDS to be curbed: Ramesh Dhawala

Shimla, Feb 13 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Minister Ramesh Chand Dhawala today said the government would review the process of identifying below poverty line (BPL) and Antodaya families in the state.

Warning of strict action against people misusing benefits under public distribution system (PDS), he said the government would initiate all steps necessary to curb the menace.

Mr Dhawala said it had been brought to the notice of the government that several families in the state had prepared separate ration cards for the family members and this was a misuse of the benefits under the PDS.

Directing the senior officers of the department to attend to such public grievances and take immediate action accordingly, he also appealed to the consumers not to keep their ration cards with the depot holders to prevent its misuse.

Referring to the shortage of LPG cylinders in the state, he said an additional supply of 8,400 gas cylinders had been ensured to the state to tide over the scarcity, if any.

He warned of strict action against people who were trying to create artificial shortage of LPG gas cylinders in the state and said the government would not tolerate it at any cost.

Expressing concern over the use of domestic cylinders in place of commercial cylinders in commercial establishments, Mr Dhawala said the department would take steps to check their misuse.

UNI AS HS AM BD1830