HP govt initiates steps to streamline PDS

Shimla, Aug 31 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government, during its last eight months in office, has initiated various steps to streamline the Public Distribution System in the state.

Regular and surprise inspection and raids on hoarders and profiteers have yielded good results while controlling the black-marketing of essential commodities to a great extent.

A government spokesman said Public distribution System (PDS) is benefitting all the sections of society. The scheme is providing essential commodities to more than 15 lakh ration card holders of the state through 4351 fair price shops being coordinated through 2889 cooperative Societies, 40 Panchayats, 133 HPSCSC, 1284 individuals and five Mahila Mandals. Ensuring the food security to APL, BPL families, Antodya families and (Annapurna) helpless aged persons of 65 years or above is one of the priority areas of the state government.

He said as per the norms, 35 kg food grain are being provided to APL families out of which 20 kg wheat floor and 15 kg rice are being provided at reasonable rates. Wheat floor is being made available at Rs 8 per kg whereas rice at Rs 9 per kg.

In addition to it, single ration card holder were being provided 20 kg Wheat floor and rice per month at the same rate. There are 9,93,425 ration card holders under the scheme and Government of India have allocated 9490 MT wheat, 5000 MT additional wheat and 7118 MT rice to the category for the month of July to September, 2008.

The spokesman said there are 3,16,900 BPL families which are being provided 35 kg food grain per family per month, out of which 20 kg wheat floor, 15 kg rice were being provided at Rs 5.25 per kg and Rs 6.85 per kg respectively.

The Centre is allocating 6338 MT wheat and 4757 MT rice per month under the schemes.

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