Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Sep 30: By introducing a system where coupons for ration can be obtained by a dialing 161, Karnataka became the first state in the nation to implement such system in food and civil supllies, informed Food and civil supplies minister, U T Khader.

Addressing a press meet at circuit house, on September 29, Khader said, "Previously, the coupon for ration had to be obtained from fair price shops or panchayaths. In the new system, it is very convenient for the beneficiaries to obtain the coupons by dialing 161 and there after 4. The first time, they would be asked for the adhaar card number, to be updated into the system. The beneficieries would get a coupon through SMS. This system will have to be from the coming month. Thereafter, five kg rice and one kg wheat will be given against previous quantity of four kg rice and one kg wheat."

Pending Ration Cards

"It was a long pending problem of issuing ration card. Now we have given the rights to panchayaths, corporation, town muncipalities and PDO to issue  ration cards. The applicants have to give the applications along with the documents. Thereafter the PDO will verify issue the ration cards in ten days. About 12 to 13 lac ration cards are pending for issuence which includes correction and fresh application. By December all the cards will be issued."

U T Khader clarified on the allegation made by a BJP spokes person in Bengaluru and said "A person has accused the Karnataka State Aids Prevention Society (KSAPS), which is under the state health ministry, of allegedly misusing the funds for the purchase of condoms. This is completely baseless. The purchase of condoms are done by the central government under NACO. Distribution to various NGOs is also done by the central government. So there is no point of blaming me over it, as the whole process has been undertaken by the central government and the state government has no role to play in this process."