3-point formula to ensure fair food

To curb irregularities in the department, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has come out with a three-point formula. Inspection of fair price shops (FPS) every month, to weed out bogus ration cards with the help of FPS owners, and setting up of a toll free helpline to enable consumers to lodge their complaints.

Addressing the media after reviewing the progress of various districts in the implementation of government schemes, Rao said food inspectors have been instructed to inspect a shop every month and take action in case of any irregularities. In the case of minimum violation, the license of such shops will be cancelled, while a criminal case will also be booked in case of any serious offences. Also, the loss caused to the exchequer will be recovered by forfeiting the assets of the licensee.

Rao who sounded tough also warned the officers to tow the line. Respective deputy commissioners have been vested with powers to mark the shops for inspection for every month. In an attempt to give opportunity for the shop owners too to come clean, they will be given a deadline till the end of this month to surrender bogus cards if any. Their names will be kept anonymous.

Rao said that the department has recently launched a toll-free helpline 1967 where the consumers can lodge their queries if any between 10 am and 5.30 pm.

Other products

Taking cognisance of the fact that it is difficult for the FPS to sustain on selling a few products, the norms have been relaxed allowing them to sell other products too. Starting from January  the shops have been directed to remain open for ten days from the beginning of every month for the benefit of consumers. The Minister said that though there is a norm for the shops to remain open at least for 25 days in a month, it was being violated at many places. The products to be distributed every month will be dispatched by the end of previous month.