The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : White ration cards for all eligible families: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 17, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

White ration cards for all eligible families: Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 16 . The Minister for Civil Supplies, G.Vijayarama Rao, has said that all the eligible below poverty line (BPL) families would be issued white ration cards shortly.

Streamlining the distribution of kerosene quota to all districts, ensuring sufficient supply of LPG gas cylinders, close monitoring of the prices of essential commodities and storage of sufficient stocks of tamarind in all three regions for next year are some of the major Government initiatives.

Announcing this during a short discussion on the price rise in the Assembly on Thursday, Dr. Rao said new ration cards would be issued to all eligible BPL families. He denied the Opposition charge that there was a frequent price hike after the Congress Government took over. The prices of essential commodities were under control, compared with last year.

Request to Centre

Dr. Rao said a request has been made to the Centre to enhance the quota of kerosene by 20,000 kilolitres to meet the demand. He said the issuance of 35 lakh ration cards had resulted in severe shortage of kerosene. The situation was compounded after 27 lakh gas connections were released which resulted in the reduction of the kerosene quota.

The Leader of the Opposition, N.Chandrababu Naidu, accused the Government of failing to fulfil the promises given to the electorate. When the panel speaker, B.Vedavyas, insisted that the discussion should be wound up, he took objection stating that the issue was serious and warranted more time. He protested when the panel speaker announced lunch break.

The Agriculture Minister, N. Raguveera Reddy, denied Mr. Naidu's charge that the Government was planning to privatise Rythu bazaars. He said the Chief Minister had recently reviewed the performance of the bazars and found it to be satisfactory.

Petrol price

Earlier, Padala Aruna (TDP) charged that the Congress Government had increased the prices of petroleum products thrice in six months. The BJP floor leader, G.Kishan Reddy, said the Government had disappointed the people with its anti-people decisions. Nomula Narsimhaiah (CPI-M) expressed resentment over the shortage of kerosene.

The CPI member, Chada Venkat Reddy, wanted an end to adulteration of essential commodities. Akbaruddin Owaisi (MIM) questioned whether the Government would reduce the sales tax on petroleum products. Sashidhar Reddy (JP) and Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy (TRS) urged the Government to take all steps to help the poor.

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