Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Punjab Bharat Bhushan Ashu today held a meeting with representatives of Depot Holders Associations of Punjab at Anaj Bhawan Sector-39 here and listened attentively to the demands of depot holders.During the meeting, Association’s representatives asked Cabinet Minister to increase the margin money already being given by the government on the distribution of wheat in view of the current financial distress due to Covid-19 pandemic. They also demanded to allow Depot Holders to procure E-PoS machines on their own and pay additional margin money on it. Apart from this it was also demanded that work related to water and electricity meter reading should be given to depot holders and margin money of wheat distribution under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana should be released immediately. They also asked to provide masks and sanitizers on priority basis to Depot Holders for distribution of wheat so that they may be able to follow Health protocols.Food Supply Minister apprised the representatives that the state government has already doubled the margin money of Depot Holders from Rs. 25 to Rs. 50 and the matter of increasing it by another Rs. 20 is already under consideration and matter will be taken up with Finance Department. Lauding the depot holders for distributing foodgrains irrespective of risk to their health and life during the pandemic, Mr. Ashu said that necessary instructions have been issued at departmental level to provide masks and sanitizers to them. He assured that the remaining demands would also be met soon.The Minister said that any pilferage or misappropriation in PDS would not be tolerated and depot holders, if any found involved in malpractice, would not be spared at any cost.