The State government has taken steps to ensure distribution of rice and groceries under the public distribution system also to those who could not append the fingerprints owing to health reasons, according to J.R. Pushparaj, chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Food Commission.
Addressing a press conference at the end of his day-long tour in the city on Tuesday, Mr. Pushparaj said instructions were issued to all the fair price shops to consider the option of iris scan to those who could not append the fingerprints. “The beneficiaries can also submit a letter issued by the VRO concerned to the dealer, certifying their inability to undergo the fingerprint scan,” he said, adding that the Commission would ensure food security to all and oversee the public distribution system.
Reacting swiftly to the allegations that the rice meant for the PDS was being exported via the Kakinada anchorage port, Mr. Pushparaj said the Commission had already taken the case suo motu and ordered detailed inquiry. “Today, I have personally inspected the port and collected the rice samples. These samples will be tested in the laboratory and action will be initiated against the traders if the lab tests prove the allegations.”
Observing that the quality of the dal and the size of eggs being distributed at the anganwadi centres were below the standards, Mr. Pushparaj expressed dissatisfaction over the supply of the inferior quality of food to the children, pregnants and the neo-natal mothers. “An inquiry has been ordered to verify the ground realities,” he said, adding that the commission had the powers to punish the guilty.