GUNTUR: Civil Supplies Minister P Pulla Rao has warned that fair price (FP) shop dealers who are not distributing essential commodities promptly to the ration card holders would be suspended and penalised.
He further directed the officials to take appropriate action against closing ration shops during the scheduled time, for distribution of commodities.
The Minister conducted a review meeting with the civil supplies officials of 13 districts through a video conference on Thursday. He warned that Rs 1,000 penalty would be imposed, for closing of FP shop for one day, Rs 1,500 for two days and Rs 2,000 for three days. Rao also said that the licence of dealers, who closes the shop for more than four days, would be cancelled and directed joint collectors to take proper steps for the smooth functioning of FP shops. He said the officials should take initiation to establish 6,500 Chandranna village malls on or before June and further said the officials should restrict recycling of PDS rice. He also insisted on the need of surprise inspection and social audit without fail. Civil supplies department commissioner B Rajasekhar, civil supplies corporation MD D Ramgopal and others attended.