Plans to supply jowar, ragi under PDS: Minister

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the department was chalking out various plans like supplying ragi and jowar to the ration card holders, which would be finalised soon.

Addressing media persons after inspecting the maize procurement centre and the godowns at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee yard during his visit to Hassan, on Tuesday, he said that  the department had been purchasing ragi, providing support price to the farmers. Plans were on to distribute the millets through fair price shops, he added.

While the department purchased 10,789 tonne ragi last year in the district, it was expected to be three times more this year, he said.

The government has been contemplating over reducing the amount of rice and wheat distributed to the ration card holders and including jowar, as it was of high in nutritional value.

Instead of purchasing rice and wheat from the other States for higher prices, it would be beneficial for the farmers if the government purchased jowar, by paying a little more, he said.
GPS
Following complaints that rice and wheat were being illegally shifted to private godowns, GPS system would be introduced to keep a tab on the same, the minister said.

GPS will be installed in the vehicles shifting commodities meant to be distributed under PDS, and stern action would be taken against those who divert from the designated routes, he said. Biometric system too would be introduced in all the ration shops, and the commodities will be distributed only after the fingerprint of the card holders are taken, and receipt issued.

Aadhaar 

It was not mandatory for the LPG consumers to get registered for Aadhaar cards. But, they have to produce their bank account numbers before March 31.As some of the banks have been demanding Aadhaar numbers due to lack of information, a meeting of bank officials was held recently to implement the scheme in a effective manner.