Ration cards to be withdrawn from ineligible beneficiaries in Assam

From Our Correspondent

GUWAHATI:

The Assam government is set to withdraw ration cards from ineligible beneficiaries above poverty line.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after a detailed review of the operational status of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Assam, directed the food and civil supply department to take steps for withdrawal of ration cards from all ineligible beneficiaries above poverty line.

Officials of the food and civil supply department, cooperative department and Registrar of Cooperative Societies were present at the review meeting held on Saturday.

Sarma also directed the food and civil supply department to amend rules to ensure Rs 143 to every fair price shop as transportation charge for each quintal of ration.

The chief minister further said that the department would be allocated funds from the state budget for providing the same to all village panchayat cooperative societies, a move he observed would significantly benefit the poor people.

Stressing on minimising transportation cost of essential commodities, he said cooperative societies would have to play the role of supervisors to ensure proper implementation of NFSA.

Sarma also directed officials of the department to rationalise the number of fair price shops according to the number of ration cardholders.

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