Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030369830800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Edible oil, pulses to be supplied at subsidised prices

Special Correspondent

To 1.82 crore white ration card holders along with the Rs. 2-a-kg rice from April 7
YSR asks Civil Supplies Department officials to prepare an action plan

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to supply edible oil and pulses at subsidised rates to the 1.82 crore white ration card holders along with the Rs. 2-a-kg rice from April 7.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has asked Civil Supplies Department officials to prepare an action plan and report to the Government with a proposal on Monday. The report would be discussed at a meeting scheduled on Monday to review the prices of essential commodities, according to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office. The meeting would discuss steps for proper supply of LPG and kerosene.

Dr. Reddy asked officials about the expenditure the Government would incur once the edible oil and pulses were supplied. He said an announcement would be made in the Assembly on the supply of edible oil and pulses to the card holders.

The Chief Minister directed officials to see that the rice scheme was not misused. He pointed out that 46 assistant civil supplies officers were being recruited to effectively implement the rice scheme. He stated that Rs.32 crore had been allocated in the recent budget to control the prices of essential commodities. According to official sources, officials are busy preparing the estimates of the Government’s subsidy burden as also the expenditure to be incurred for supplying edible oil and pulses to the people.

Special machinery

At an informal meeting here on Sunday, Dr. Reddy stated that the rice supply scheme should be fool-proof. A special machinery had been created to oversee the distribution and correct the loopholes and irregularities if any.