CHENNAI: The State government has extended the validity of the existing ration cards for one more year as collection of bio-metric data is yet to be completed.
Additional sheets would be provided at the ration shops to be pasted on the cards so that the card-holders can receive commodities for the next one year, food minister R Kamaraj said during a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday.
Intense steps have been taken to check the illegal transportation of essential commodities meant for Public Distribution System, the Minister said, adding that 612 people have been arrested in this connection.
The Minister said during the current season, 4,200 metric tonnes of paddy had been procured through the 167 direct procurement centres (DPCs). The District Collectors have been authorised to open more DPCs in accordance with the requirements of the farmers.