Digital Ration Cards to be distributed soon:Rajasthan Minister

The BJP government today assured the Rajasthan Assembly that Digital Ration Cards, pending since February 2013, would be distributed to all beneficiaries soon.
Replying to a question of BJP MLA Babu Singh on the delay in preparation and distribution of Digital Ration Cards, Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Hemsingh Bhadana told the House that eleven firms were given contract to make over 1.5 crore ration cards by February 2013, but it was delayed due to technical and other reasons.
As many as 50.81 lakh (29 per cent) of the total of the 1.5 crore cards had been distributed since the BJP took over charges, and another 56 per cent would be distributed to beneficiaries soon, the Minister said, adding the remaining would be taken up for printing and delivery in due course.

On BJP MLA Hameer Singh Bhayal's query on poor transport facility in the state, PWD Minister Yunus Khan assured the House that 5,022 gram panchayats having no roadways network would have travel buses on PPP model and a survey to execute this work would also be undertaken on priority basis.
Khan admitted that despite high tourist footfalls in border districts the transportation system was not up to the mark in Jaisalmer and Barmer, as had been claimed by Opposition members.
On the issue river sand and gravel crisis in the state and their high prices raised by Congress MLA Ramesh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore told the House that the new government would not let any "bajri mafia" to grow, and any lease holder found guilty would be punished and action would be ensured on illegal trading.

During Zero Hour, Rathore, who is also Medial and Health Minister, told the House that a fleet of 59 ambulances (108) would be repaired and upgraded in all districts.
The process of appointment of 126 doctors and 31,209 para-medical staff in government-run hospitals would be completed soon, Rathore said.