Date:25/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/25/stories/2007102557640300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Measures to strengthen the civil supplies initiated

Staff Reporter

Mobile fair price shops manned by members of SHGs soon

Measures to ensure proper supplies of grains, LPG and kerosene to the remotest of areas
Schedule for gas dealers for opening of a counter at mandal headquarters by self-help groups

ADILABAD: Adilabad district administration has initiated certain measures to strengthen the civil supplies in the interest of consumers. The measures will ensure proper supplies of grains, LPG and kerosene even to the remotest of areas in the district, said Joint Collector G. Ravi Babu.

He told reporters here on Wednesday that LPG dealers who have failed to supply gas to consumers beyond seven days of booking a cylinder were being fined at the rate of Rs. 50 per pending call. A schedule was under preparation for gas dealers supplying to rural areas that envisages opening of a counter at mandal head quarters by representatives of self help groups on behalf of the concerned agency to take bookings, he added.

On the issue of supply of kerosene and rice, Mr. Ravi Babu said sealed boxes were being kept at respective MRO offices in rural areas where people can deposit the unused coupons. These coupons will be collected at month end and the concerned fair price shop dealer will be made to supply to individuals, he said. The department has made a saving of 37,000 litres of kerosene by collecting unused coupons last month, he pointed out. Besides, mobile fair price shops in rural areas to be manned by members of SHGs will also be introduced soon, he added.

A meeting with grain whole sale dealers resulted in reduction of the current price by Rs. 2 per kg on black gram, red gram, green gram and Bengal gram, the Joint Collector added. Price of onions has also come down subsequent to the Government supply, he claimed.