Measure Public Distribution System rice weight before distributing: Joint Collector K Damodar Reddy

Mahabubabad: District Joint Collector K Damodar Reddy ordered the officials concerned to measure the weight of the rice accurately before distributing to people under public distribution system (PDS) though fair price shops (FPS). He held a meeting with the officials of Weights and Measures department at his chamber in the Collectorate here on Monday.

The JC said every month about 50,000 quintals of rice is distributed to the people under PDS through 953 fair price shops present across the district from six mandal-level stock (MLS) points. In view of the complaints received from the dealers that they are receiving underweighting rice bags, which weigh at least three kgs less per quintal, he told the officials to measure the weight of the rice bags before supplying them from MLS points to FPS and also to take rice bags supplied by Food Corporation of India, after measuring their weight. It is the responsibility of godown in-charges (where the rice is stored) to supply the rice bags after measuring the weight correctly, he added.

Referring to the complaints by hostel wardens and school headmasters that hamalis are collecting money from them after supplying rice bags to hostels and schools, Joint Collector Damodar Reddy ordered the Hamali Sangham representatives to stop collecting money from them as the government is paying them Rs 15 per each rice bag. District civil supply officer Narasimha Rao, manager Riyaz Khan, deputy manager Mahendar, tahsildars and representatives of Hamali Sangham were present along with others.