Pilferage of 40,000 MT food grains prevented: Khader

Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader has said that by adopting coupon system in distribution of ration and by linking Aadhaar numbers,  pilferage of 40,000 metric tonnes of food grains per month has been prevented.

Khader told reporters here on Wednesday that the Centre has set a deadline of June-end to link Aadhaar numbers with ration cards. All beneficiaries should compulsorily link their Aadhaar card numbers with the ration cards before the deadline ends, he said.

With reference to the coupon system, Khader said the system would be adopted in phases at all fair price shops in the state. A seva kendra would be opened to address the problems of new ration card holders, he said.

Khader, also the district in-charge minister, announced a special fund of Rs 1 crore to solve the drinking water crisis in the district. Borewells would be sunk at several places in the district, and water would supplied through tankers to the affected areas, he said.

‘Will not apologise’

Replying to a query on his controversial statements made during Kerala Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan’s recent visit to Mangaluru, Khader said he would tender no apologies.

He said that he was “upset” over the sudden bandh call given by pro-Hindu outfits during Vijayan’s visit which had affected scores of students, passengers and the public. “I was hurt over the same and by mistake uttered a few words that hurt people. I regret the incident but I am not ready to apologise as the remarks were not made intentionally to insult anybody,” he said.

The minister earlier visited Sri Chamarajeshwara Swami temple and inspected the temple chariot that was recently torched by a miscreant.