Minister for Finance and Civil Supplies E Rajender today asked the millers to procure 1.2 lakh metric ton fine rice to fulfill its target of supplying the same among welfare hostels. He held a review meeting with rice millers and officials here he warned of serious action if irregularities are found. As the government has taken a decision to give better support price to the farmers and supply the rice millers should procure fine rice on time which will reduce cost Rajender said.
The Government is spending huge funds for the subsidy rice among poor and the officials should monitor that the Public Distribution System is implemented properly. The minister hoped that more paddy is expected next season and said that he will conduct a meeting who sought to sort out the issues and allot paddy making 10 districts a unit. He asked the people to remain responsible and return ration cards instead of selling Rs 1 a kg rice which is available at Rs 24 a kg at open market. The Government spends Rs 576 for supplying six kg rice to a family of four persons and spending Rs 2395 cr subsidy a year. When the people not using ration rice they should return the cards to the government and enable it to supply the same to other poor family, he added.
Steps being taken to cleanse up the civil supplies wing of irregularities is giving positive results Rajender said and asked to strengthen the task force. He also said that civil supplies department procured 15.28 lakh mt against the target of 18.27 lakh mt and gave 15.13 lakh mt to padding for milling. (NSS)