Shimla, Jul 15 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh government has taken steps to ensure transparency and keep a vigil on the quality of ration being distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS), a minister said on Sunday.

A total of 77.20 lakh consumers are getting subsidised ration through 4,937 ration depots and a sum of Rs 220 crore has been earmarked this year for this purpose. There are 18.37 lakh ration card holders in Himachal Pradesh.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kishan Kapoor said in the scheme, ration card holders are provided three pulses, mustard, refined oil and salt at subsidised rates.

In addition to this, sugar, wheat flour and rice are also provided under the PDS at subsidised rates. For the first time, the rate of pulses has been reduced by Rs 5 which has benefited all categories of consumers.

A complaint redressal unit has been established in the Civil Supplies Corporation headquarters in Shimla to facilitate the common man to register his complaint.

In addition to this, he said, the department has also launched its own mobile app.

The government has also started a toll-free number -- 1967 -- for the benefit of consumers. They can submit their complaints related to ration card, LPG and kerosene through this number.

As many as 88.6 per cent ration card holders have been linked to Aadhar card which has helped in checking misuse of ration cards and transparency has been established under the public distribution system, the minister said in a statement.

The government has also decided to provide bills and cash memos to the consumers through their mobiles. A software has been developed in this regard.