Assam Chief Minister To Withdraw Ration Cards From Ineligible Beneficiaries

The Assam government has directed to take necessary steps to withdraw the ration card from all the ineligible beneficiaries above the poverty line. Also, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has directed to implement the National Food Security Act more effectively in the state.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (File Photo)

Dispur: The Assam government has decided to withdraw the ration card from all the ineligible beneficiaries above the poverty line in the state. In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the concerned officials have been given directions to take necessary steps in this regard.

He has also directed that fair price shops, under the Public Distribution System, be rationalised as per the number of ration cardholders. 

Chief Minister Hemant Biswa Sarma had called a review meeting on Saturday regarding the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state. The meeting was convened with the officials of the Food and Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Department (FCS&CA) and the Cooperation Department. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials to amend the rules to ensure that the ration shops running under the Public Distribution System should get Rs 143 as transportation charge for each quinal of ration. Highlights of the meeting Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation Department Atul Bora and senior state government officials were also present.

Cooperative societies will have to play the role of supervisor: Himanta Sarma

From now, funds will be provided from the government budget to the state's FCS&CA department for providing it to all village panchayat cooperative societies. The Chief Minister has said that these measures will help the people from financially weaker section of societies. The Chief Minister also stressed on minimising the transportation cost of essential commodities. He said that to ensure the proper implementation of the Food Security Act in the state, cooperative societies will have to play the role of supervisors from now on.