Speaking to reporters, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shobha Karandlaje said she has directed all LPG distributors not to resort to such a step. “There is confusion among the people that LPG supply will be stopped if the RR number is not provided. At no point have we asked the distributors to stop delivery of cylinders to those who fail to furnish the information,” she stated. The department in its notification last month warned the people of LPG refill supply being discontinued if RR numbers and a photocopy of ration card are not furnished to the distributor within 10 days. Later, the deadline was extended by 10 more days.
A release issued by the minister said: “The department had only stated that it will cancel the APL ration cards of those who fail to furnish the information to the LPG distributors with a direction to stop supply. But such a stage has not yet reached.”
The department is collecting RR numbers with an intention to streamline the PDS. The State has 1.25 crore families comprising 6.25 crore population. About 15 per cent of families still do not have ration cards. But the State already has 1.50 crore ration cards. There are an estimated 40 lakh bogus ration cards in the State. Bogus cards cannot be eliminated without the help of people, she added.
The department, official sources said, only wanted to make the people take its efforts seriously.
Hence, it had warned of discontinuing LPG refill supply. Technically speaking, the government has no control over LPG supply as it regulated by oil companies under the Union government.
Send documents through post, e-mail
The department in collaboration with LPG distributing agencies has made arrangements for receiving RR numbers and ration cards from people through posts, e-mail and fax. Those who do not have ration cards can submit only the RR numbers. People can e-mail scanned copies of the latest electricity bill and ration card. Postal address: The Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies Department, No 8, Marketing Federation Building, Cunningham Road, Bangalore-560052. Fax: 22372204. e-mail – ahara.kar.nic.in
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