: All families covered under the public distribution system in the Union Territory would be issued half a litre sunflower edible oil free of cost before Diwali in place of two kg wheat, Chief Minister N Rangasamy said here today.
Speaking to reporters, he said the decision to replace wheat with edible oil was taken following representations from card holders that the wheat was not of good quality.
The supply of wheat had been discontinued with immediate effect and ration shops would distribute half a litre of edible oil free of cost for every card, he said.
The CM said government was running special festival bazaars in Puducherry and Karaikal regions through the joint initiatives of the Civil Supplies Department and government owned Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO). The bazaars would function till November 9.
The intention to run the bazaars was to ensure that commodities were available at reasonable prices and to relieve consumers of the high prices in the open market.Sweet packets, crackers and other festival related commodities were being sold through the bazaars, he said.
