No shortage of essential commodities, says food secretary

Shimla, May 6 (UNI) Asserting that there is no shortage of food commodities in any district of Himachal Pradesh under the targeted public distribution system (TDPS), a top government official today said all district officials have been directed to ensure procurement and distribution of all essential commodities.

The availability of all essential commodities under TDPS was found to be satisfactory, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs secretary B K Aggarwal said in a release here.

He directed the officers to ensure that permits were issued to the fair price shops before the last day of every month, besides ensuring that essential commodities were lifted before the tenth every month.

Mr Aggarwal also warned of strict action in case of any default.

Observing that kerosense oil was highly subsidised and there was a possibility of it being sold in the black market, he asked the officers to ensure that it was sold to the needy people only.

Similarly, he also directed the authorities to check any misuse of LPG cylinders in the state and said strict action should be taken against people using domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes.

Procurement of wheat by Food Corporation of India (FCI) was also reviewed, he said, while asked the officers to conduct a survey of the districts to assess any surplus quantity.

UNI AS JN RL ND1806