Food and Civil Supplies Minister D N Jeevaraj on Friday strongly defended the new system of applying for ration cards (both APL and BPL cards) wherein an individual must have an introducer to submit the application seeking a new card.

Addressing reporters, he said the intention was to prevent bogus ration cards. The department has had bitter experiences in the past. A large number of people who had applied for ration cards did not turn up. And, in most of these cases, the applicants had given false information. The new system will ensure that only those who really are in need of ration cards apply, he added.

Under the new system, an individual has to first send an SMS to mobile phone number 9212357123 (for example RCNEW Karthik M Patil). On Sending the message, a token number and a security code will be sent back. The applicant should fill up the online application form using the token number and security code. Besides details of the applicant’s family members, details of an introducer (who is already a ration card holder), her/his ration card number and name should be filled in the application.

This is not all. Official sources said the introducer should also accompany the applicant to the nearest photo bio centre where details such as biometric, RR number of the electricity meter and photo ID proof (of both the applicant and the introducer) will be collected. The department resumed receiving applications seeking new ration cards on March 8.

Asked what should one do if he/she cannot find an introducer, the minister said: “It proves that the individual is new to the place and that he has a ration card in some other place. Moreover, it is not difficult to find an introducer. People need not be scared of introducing others. An introducer will not be held responsible for any lapse.”

Multiplexes under scanner

Jeevaraj said he had directed the department of Legal Metrology to conduct a probe into the complaints of shop owners at multiplexes and cinemas selling goods, including snacks and mineral water bottles, at exorbitant prices.

It was found that shop owners had fixed their own maximum retail price. “We are finding out who gave them (shop owners) the permission to fix their own MRP. We will also find out how much tax do they pay. We want to go into all the details and put an end to the problem permanently,” he added.

Asked about hotel owners increasing prices of food items steeply, he said he will soon hold a meeting with the hotel owners’ association and urge them to bring down the prices.

Advisor

The minister said the government has appointed former secretary to the department B A Harish Gowda as advisor to the department. The government has issued an order to this effect on March 14.