The State government will soon set up squads to prevent illegal storage and transportation of foodgrains and officials from the departments of Food and Civil Supplies, Revenue and Police will be part of it, U.T Khader, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies has said.
He was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.
The Minister said that the squads would be formed in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Belagavi and Kalaburagi revenue divisions.
They would conduct raids on government godowns and book cases under the Essential Commodities Acts if foodgrains were found stored and transported illegally.
Mr. Khader urged ration card holders to link their cards with their Aadhaar numbers.
The Minister said that the department had initiated action to ensure that foodgrains were reaching the beneficiaries. Coupons had been issued for distribution of kerosene.
Cash rewards would be given to those who inform the department about irregularities, illegal transportation of kerosene and grain and those who carry bogus cards.
A reward of Rs. 400 would be given to those who inform about bogus cards and their identity would not be revealed.
Responding to a demand by Basareddy Anpur, Yadgir Zilla Panchayat president, about the delay in issuance of new ration cards, the Minister said that they were being issued only after thorough verification of applications.
Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, said that jowar would be distributed through the public distribution system.
The government would purchase jowar at Rs. 2,150 a quintal from growers, Mr Gupta added.
Deputy Commissioner Manoj Jain was present.
