Applications for fresh family cards should be disposed of within 80 days from the date of receiving the same, said State Food Minister E.V.Velu on Saturday.
Addressing officials at a meeting to review works on distribution of essential commodities in the district, Mr. Velu said a large number of applications were being received seeking fresh family cards and the officials should take immediate action. Reasons for rejection of applications, if any, should be furnished to the applicants, he added. Applications with ‘no commodity option' should be disposed of within seven days.
Mr. Velu asked the officials to conduct door-to-door verification of family cards for checking the bogus ration cards. He warned that strict action would be taken against officials in case essential commodities were found issued to the bogus cards, even beyond cancellation.
The Minister asked the Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies to ensure availability of subsidised grocery commodities, which had gone down well with the public. Each pack with 10 commodities was priced at Rs.25.
Earlier, accompanied by officials, the Minister inspected the fair price shops, godowns and Co-operative Marketing Societies at a number of places in Pudukottai, Alankudi and Aranthangi.
Swaran Singh, Principal Secretary to the government, Department of Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection; R. Sivakumar, Commissioner to the government; M. Veera Shanmuga Moni, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation; Amuduvalli, Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies and A. Suganthi, District Collector accompanied the Minister.
