The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully committed to further strengthen the public distribution system. As part of this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak held a review meeting at the Anaj Bhawan in Chandigarh.
The Minister ordered that the Smart Ration Depots be started as soon as possible so as to ensure ration to the beneficiaries in a hassle free manner. Apart from this, the Minister also directed to initiate the tender process with regard to purchase Smart Weighing Machines in order to ensure transparency in the distribution of ration.
The Minister further directed for prompt release of balance Commission of Depot holders, to the tune of Rs. 9 crores and submit the status report within four weeks.He assured that the matter pertaining to the payment of rest of the amount would be taken up with the Union Government.
Besides, in order to being more transparency in the distribution of wheat, it was directed that the ration due to each beneficiary along with the helpline number in Punjabi as well as Hindi must be displayed at every ration depot so as to make sure that the immigrant beneficiaries don't encounter any difficulty.
It was also brought to the notice of the Minister that the tender process concerning availability of E-POS machine at each ration depot, has been started.The Minister reiterated that the State Government stands fully committed to the safe keeping of the interests of both the Consumers and the Depot Holders.
Among others present on the occasion included the Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Gurkirat Singh and the Director Ghanshyam Thori.