Date:11/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/11/stories/2008051159390500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

11 lakh cardholders fail to lift rice

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: As many as 11 lakh holders of white ration cards did not lift subsidised rice that is available at Rs. 2 a kilo.

It is suspected that fair price shop dealers may have secured these white cards in connivance with officials to draw the monthly quota and sell them for a higher price.

Taking a serious of it, the Cabinet, at a meeting here on Friday, resolved to deal with an iron hand against the black-sheep among the fair price shop dealers.

And also hoarders and black-marketers to check the rising prices of essential commodities.

This decision was based on a report submitted by the Group of Ministers (GoM) suggesting immediate and long-term measures to control the prices.

Information Minister A. Ramanarayan Reddy told reporters later that steps would be launched immediately to weed out these 11 lakh cards if they were found bogus.

The Cabinet resolved to promulgate an ordinance amending the Essential Commodities Act to make both sale and purchase of subsidised rice and other essential items listed for supply through public distribution system such as red-gram dal and edible oil as planned now, cognizable.

Chief Secretary P. Ramakantha Reddy was directed to initiate action.