SHIMLA 5th February 2012 : At a time when the country is reeling under escalating food prices, the consumers in Himachal have been fortunate enough to be shielded from the brunt of inflation. Thanks to the Targeted Public Distribution System and other ambitious schemes being implemented by the State Government. To provide respite to the common man from the spiraling prices, the State Government is implementing various ambitious schemes to make available essential commodities under Public Distribution System. They are getting essential items through a network of 4608 Fair Price Shops.
The State Government is also implementing Specially Subsidized Scheme so as to bring about some sort of relief to the people from the rising prices. This scheme is being implemented to benefit all 16,31,804 ration card holders in the State. Under the scheme Black Gram whole is being provided at Rs. 20/- per Kg per month, Dal Urd at Rs. 35/- per Kg, Dal Channa at Rs. 25/- per Kg, Mustard Oil at Rs. 45/- per Kg, Refined Oil at Rs.40/- per Kg and Iodised salt at Rs. 4/- per Kg with 1 Kg per family per month.
Rs 130 crore have been spent for the Specially Subsidized Scheme under the current financial year. During last four years, 45,826 MT Black Gram worth Rs 88 crore, 58,378 MT Dal channa worth Rs 142 crore, 58,549 MT Dal Urd worth Rs 168 crore, 1,10,253 Lt Refined Oil and Mustard Oil worth Rs 489 crore and 46,138 MT Iodised salt worth Rs 16.60 crore have been provided to the consumers on cheaper rates under this scheme.
Besides 18 kg Wheat and 9 kg rice @ Rs 8. 50 per kg and Rs 10 per kg respectively are being provided to 11, 17, 804 APL consumers. 20 kg wheat and 15 kg rice @ Rs 5.25 per kg and Rs 6.85 respectively are being provided 316900 Below Poverty Line consumers.
The poorest of the poor 197100 families have been placed under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna. The State Government provides 20 Kg of Wheat and 15 Kg of Rice per family at Rs. 2 and Rs 3 respectively. To ensure food security to the Old destitute/indigent citizens beyond 65 years of age, they are being provided free rice at the scale of 10 Kg per person per month.
Currently there are 111 LPG agencies in the State which are catering to the needs of 7, 19,594 Single Barrel Connection and 6,13,463 Double Barrel Connection Holders. The department exercises holistic control and keeps a strict vigil on the distribution of
LPG and ensures equitable procurement as well as distribution throughout the State in order to keep a balance between demand and supply. The LPG distribution in the state is being carried out in accordance with the route chart as displayed by all LPG agency dealers.
Besides ensuring essential commodities to the people of the state, the Department also strives to maintain the highest quality and standard of the commodities through a series of regular inspections and checkings.
The samples of food grains and their products drawn are analyzed at the food grains Laboratory and incase of any adulteration, action is taken accordingly. During the current financial year, till August last, 11842 inspections were made; out of which 760 persons were booked under departmental proceedings, 615 were given written warning while one person was booked. Similarly, Rs 7, 05, 887 was forfeited as security amount and goods worth Rs 5, 68, 453 were confiscated.
Supply of essential commodities is made to the tribal areas like Pangi, Keylong, Bharmaur etc before the winter season sets in. Apart from this, supply of LPG is made to these tribal areas through a chain of gas agencies being operated by the State Civil Supplies Corporation at Bhavanagar, Sangla, Peo, Pooh, Kaza, Keylong, Udaipur, Bharmaur, Teesa, Killar.