Mohammed Sajid
Port Blair, Sept 23: Clarifying all clouds over fixing dates for distribution of ration items for Fair Price Shops, the Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Som Naidu has said that as per rules, ration items should be provided by FPSs on all days.
“According to the rules of the Civil supplies the ration should be provided by the FPS on all days in a month and if the shopkeepers are fixing date bar for providing ration under PDS then the consumers should lodge complaints with department of Civil Supplies,” Mr. Naidu told Andaman Sheekha.
He said that general public may also call in phone number 1967 and register their complaint. He assured that if complaint is lodged strict action against the defaulters will be taken.
He also added that the department under the PDS has introduced the scheme of providing fortified Atta (Wheat meal) to the consumers in South Andaman District. In the new scheme of providing fortified Atta half quantity of Atta and the left out quantity of whole wheat will be provided. He further added that if any FPS owner refuses to provide fortified Atta the consumers can register their complaints by calling the number of the director 03192232321.
Regarding loss of farmers, Mr. Som Naidu clarified that the quality of the rice produced by the local farmers here are low according to the norms of the Govt. and the produce is also not sufficient for providing in the FPS.
He added that in the year 2010 when the rice was procured from them they could only provide 35 tonnes which is very less than the actual quantity required and in 2013 not even a single farmer came forward to sell their produce for distribution under PDS.
He also informed us that the cost of the rice from the local farmers is Rs.22/ kg where as the Govt. of India provides it in Rs. 16/ kg and the farmers here would go in loss if they sell it for Rs. 16/ kg and that is why no rice from the local farmers was procured by the department.
