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Norms simplified for cement sale

Special Correspondent

It can be bought at Civil Supplies godowns
Permits not needed to buy cement

CHENNAI: The State Government has decided to simplify norms for the sale of cement at the concessional rate of Rs. 200 a bag through godowns of the Civil Supplies Corporation.

Announcing this in the Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said the number of cement bags would go up from 100 to 200 per consumer. Also, consumers could purchase cement directly at the godowns by producing approved plans without having to go to revenue officials for permits.

The Chief Minister was wrapping up the debate in the Assembly on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.

Till January 30, 1,540 tonnes were sold since the launch of the cement scheme last month. Under the scheme, the cement is sold at godowns at Rs. 200 a bag. The scheme is applicable for lower and middle classes for houses of size not exceeding 1,000 sq. ft.

Originally, consumers had to obtain permits from the revenue officials by producing approved plans.

Stalin going to Japan

Noting that the foundation stone for the Hogenekkal water supply scheme would be laid soon, the Chief Minister said Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin along with officials of the Central and State Governments would go to Tokyo in the first week of this month to hold the final round of negotiations with the Japanese authorities.

Special PDS to continue

Pointing out that the State Government was implementing the special public distribution system to contain the prices of essential commodities (under which the commodities including toor dhal, black gram, rava, maida and palm oil were being sold through the PDS), Mr. Karunanidhi said the system’s tenure was to come to an end now. So, the Government decided to extend it for six more months.

[According to a senior official of the Food and Civil Supplies department, fortified atta will also be sold at Rs. 11 per kg shortly through the special PDS.

As the Government is supplying the commodities at the subsidised rate, it is required to issue an order on the continuance of the system. Toor dhal is being sold at Rs. 32 a kg; black gram – Rs. 34 a kg; palm oil – Rs. 40 a kg; rava – Rs. 17a kg and maida – Rs. 16a kg.]

Letter to Minister

He added that he wrote to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment early last month urging status quo in the scholarship scheme for SC/ST students.

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