‘Patrol border districts to stop rice smuggling’

Food Minister E V Velu has advised the District Collectors and other officials to step up vigilance and patrolling in the border districts of the State to check ration rice smuggling.

Speaking at an Inter-district review meeting of the public distribution system here, he said that every complaint regarding PDS from the representatives of people, including panchayat president and MP, should be treated seriously and redressed.

Women SHGs should be given priority in running ration shops and the MP, MLA local area development funds should be utilised to construct ration shop buildings, he said.

In order to provide electronic balances, electrification of all ration shops has been completed.

The officials should ensure the distribution of palm oil and pulses under special PDS before Pongal festival, Velu added. District Collectors Rajendra Ratnoo (Cuddalore), Prajendra Navneet (Villupuram), Sathyabratha Sahoo (Tiruvannamalai) and other officials took part.