Eatala warns ration rice black-marketeers 

Threatens to invoke PD Act against the wrongdoers

Hyderabad: Civil Supplies Minister Eatala Rajender has warned that severe action would be taken against those involved in irregularities like misusing ration rice and selling it in black market. He said the Preventive Detention Act would be invoked to punish the black marketeers.

Addressing media persons after holding a review meeting with officials at the Secretariat here on Monday, Rajender appealed to the people to surrender their ration cards if they were not drawing rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The purpose of the fine rice distribution was to provide two square meals a day to the poor as part of welfare measures, he reminded.

He said that the government was keen on welfare of the poor and providing fine rice to them, besides hostels and schools. So far, as many as 81 lakh families were provided fine rice at the rate of Re 1 per kg. Though the Centre cancelled levy system, the State government was offering minimum support price to the farmers, he explained.

The review meeting held on rationalisation of ration cards, ePass, use of machines and streamlining of PDS system to ensure the poor get benefited. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was keen on welfare of the poor and giving fine rice to them, hostels and schools, the Minister said.

The millers were asked to supply rice in 45 days after procuring paddy from the farmers and the government was ready to find a solution to the problems being faced by the millers, the Minister said. He warned the millers of serious action if the rice meant for public distribution system was diverted and illegally transported to Kakinada port.