Display board inaugurated at a PDS
District Collector Neeraj Mittal (second right) taking a look at a display board inaugurated at a PDS outlet at Peelamedupudur in the city on Monday.In an effort to ensure transparency in management of stock at the Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets in Coimbatore, the administration has introduced a system of Special PDS Display Board at the shops.Sample packets would help the people assess the quality of the commodities
The concept was a step towards ensuring that the cardholders got to know the price and the variety of commodities available at every shop. The display board would have nine slots – pouches for samples of the commodities available at the shop with prices.If there was no stock of a commodity, they should mention it on the display board. The Display Board was inaugurated by District Collector Neeraj Mittal and Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, M. Rajasekhar at two shops at Peelamedupudur and Audis Street in the city besides 12 other places. Joint Registrar and Special Officers, K. Chandraleela, V. Lakshmi and Deputy Registrars R. Periasmay and A. Palanisamy took part.
Explaining the objective, the officials said following price rise of essential commodities, the Government introduced a special PDS scheme in the State under which palmoil at Rs 40 a kg, rava, maida, tur dhal at Rs. 32 a kg and urad dhal at Rs. 36 a kg as the eligibility for each cardholder. In addition, the Government also made sea salt at Rs 2.50 a kg, table salt at Rs. 4.00 a kg and Ooty tea at Rs. 10 for 100 gm available. The sample packets would help the people assess the quality of the commodities. The authorities said within one month the display boards would be put up in all the 1,173 PDS outlets run by the Co-operative Societies.
In another measure to ensure that commodities were not diverted to black market or open markets at higher prices, the authorities have directed that every truck leaving the stock yard should have a route chart and it should be cross checked by officials.
