TIRUNELVELI: To ensure correct measurement and prevent adulteration, the Tamil Nadu Government is considering selling kerosene under the public distribution system in plastic containers.

Minister for Food E.V. Velu told this to reporters here on Sunday, after discussions with officials of the Co-operative, Civil Supplies, Revenue and Police departments on fine-tuning the public distribution system, particularly the Rs. 2 a kg rice scheme. Mr. Velu said officials had been instructed to mention the dates of distribution of kerosene in all ration shops.

Asserting that more than 20 per cent of the ration cards in the State were "bogus," he alleged that the previous regime had distributed over 35 lakh cards for which kerosene could not be distributed due to shortage.

He said the State Government, which had an "extremely cordial relationship" with the Centre, would discuss the proposed cut in food subsidy and stop it.

Pale yellow rice

The Minister said since the cardholders were unenthusiastic about buying pale yellow rice, procured from Chhattisgarh, the State had decided to buy more rice from Andhra Pradesh. "Though the rice being procured from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are of the same quality, people are not willing to take the Chhattisgarh rice due to its colour... "

The Minister for Environment, Sports and Youth Welfare T.P.M. Maideen Khan; MLAs M. Appavu, S. Peter Alphonse and N. Maalairaja; District Revenue Officer G. Loganathan; District Supplies Officer Suresh Kumar and officials participated.

Surprise inspection

Earlier, the Minister conducted surprise inspections on ration shops in Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai. He ordered suspension of three salesmen and two shop assistants due to discrepancies in stock and registers.

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