JCs told to plug loopholes in PDS

Hyderabad: While the Opposition parties are making a hue and cry over the government’s move to scrap some ration cards in the name of bogus and fake ones, those at the helm of affairs are trying to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) across the State and reiterates their resolve to remove bogus cards and offer them to genuine beneficiaries to get groceries.

• New ration cards will be given for eligible people from Sept: Eatala Rajender
• Biometric process to curb irregularities and ensure transparency

Addressing a review meeting of Joint Collectors at ‘Dr Marri Channa Reddy Human Resources Development Centre’ here on Friday, Finance Minister Eatala Rajender asked the Joint Collectors to plug the loopholes in the system that were inviting wrath from various sections. He announced that new ration cards would be given to the eligible people from next month.

The Joint Collectors at the districts should ensure that the eligible were not deprived of the facility, he said. So far 54,000 fake or duplicate ration cards were confiscated in Ranga Reddy district, he said, adding that bio metric process was being implemented on a pilot basis to check duplication in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts that would be expanded to the entire State in phases.

Rajender asked the people not to panic as the government would provide essentials to the poor and eligible people through PDS. He told that welfare schemes would be provided to the poor who should get ration cards first. “We are in favour of genuine people getting ration,” he confirmed.

“The Telangana State government aims to offer essential commodities to the deprived classes to get a square meal a day”, he said and asked the JCs to conduct timely checks for corruption and irregularities. “Let the PDS system adopt modern equipment and show accountability while there is a need for transparency. Or else we will not be able to reach our target to offer groceries to the poor”, he said.