Scheme for timely supply of food grains launched

BPL cardholders can obtain their quota of food grains from ration shops between the first and tenth day of each month

'Padithara Khathi', Karnataka Government's ambitious food security scheme that ensures delivery of food grains at fair price shops on specific dates under the public distribution system (PDS) has been rolled out in the State.

The scheme was launched in Mysore with the first such distribution at the Chama-rajapuram Consumers' Co-operative Society on February 1 by Krishnaraja MLA MK Somashekar in presence of Food and Civil Supplies Department Commissioner Harsh Gupta, Additional Commissioner Manoj Kumar and Narasimharaja MLA and former Minister Tanveer Sait.

Under the scheme, below poverty line (BPL) cardholders can obtain their quota of food grains from ration shops any day between the first and tenth day of each month.

Shops have to be kept open from 8 am to 8 pm with one hour lunch break from 1 pm and 2 pm.

After the tenth day of the month, the shops can return to original timings of 8 am to noon and 4 pm to 8 pm when those who have not drawn their ration on the first ten days can obtain their quota.

Explaining the salient features of the scheme, Gupta said it initially covers rice and sugar. The department had received 1967 complaints relating to misuse of food grains allotted to FP shops and 71 cases booked, besides seizing trucks during raids on godowns.

Deputy Director K Rames-warappa said ration shop owners have to make the food grains available to cardholders at the rates and quantity notified by the Government or face action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Cardholders can complain to gram panchayat, taluk level officers or tahsildars. They can also report to 0821-2422107 or 1800-425-9339, Bangalore tollfree helpline.

Somashekar said committees including cardholders would be set up in all the FP shops in the district to ensure proper ration distribution and avoid any problems.

Steps will be taken to open a service centre in each ward for taking photos for ration cards.

He asked officials to implement the various social welfare programmes introduced by the Government like Anna Bhagya, Arogya Bhagya and Vivaha Bhagya with sincerity and suggested an increase in number of franchisees to avoid delay in ration distribution.

Tanveer Sait suggested distribution of ragi in Mysore district on the lines of jowar in north Karnataka districts and called for steps to check misuse of ration cards.