Guntur, December 02: With the Government reducing the quota of essential commodities in the district, the people who are dependent on PDS are facing difficulties.
Rice, sugar, red gram and wheat are being sold through PDS. Of late, with the prices of red gram and sugar shooting up in the open market, these commodities are not being distributed through PDS on time.
Ration card-holders are trying in vain to buy essentials at fair prices shops for the last two months. Usually, 548 matric tonnes red gram and 750 matric tonnes sugar are distributed through fair price shops in the district.
However, the district is yet to receive its sugar quota for December. Furthermore, the Government has allocated only 400 matric tonnes red gram.
On the other hand, the prices of essential commodities are shooting by the day in the open market and the common people are not in a position to purchase them.
In the open market, the cost of sugar is hovering between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg. Likewise, the price of 1 kg red gram has touched Rs 96. On the other hand, many people are complaining against the quality of red gram available in the open market.
Speaking to Express, district civil supply officer Sriram said the Government was taking steps to provide quality red gram and was planning to supply locally-produced red gram through fair price shops.
–Agencies