The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Congress seeks probe into grain supply under PDS

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Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress seeks probe into grain supply under PDS

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Congress on Monday alleged that the nexus between the Government and vested interests had led to ration cards being more than the number of families in the State, and demanded a probe into “irregularities” in the supply of foodgrains under the public distribution system (PDS).

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council V.S. Ugrappa said that as per the Census 2.15 lakh families had been living in Gadag district, but the Food and Civil Supplies Department distributed 2.35 lakh ration cards to below poverty line and above poverty line families. Further, 1.7 lakh applications had been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office seeking ration cards and all these figures had been given by the Deputy Commissioner of the district, he claimed.

In Bijapur district, officials distributed 2.5 lakh more ration cards.

Ration shop permits

Permits of 15 ration shops in the district had been cancelled at the behest of some officials and a large number eligible families had been denied their monthly quota of foodgrains.

The Government should give an explanation for the discrepancies in the distribution of ration cards as well as foodgrains, he added.

Draws flak

Mr. Ugrappa lashed out at the Government for organising the two-day Manthana programme at a private resort on the outskirts of Bangalore and sought details of the expenditure incurred for it.

He wanted to know why the Government did not utilise the facilities in the Secretariat to organise the programme.

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