Public distribution system to be revamped: Danve

 To improve the public distribution system, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Dadarao Danve on Monday said here that the Centre is going to implement 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme in the country.

He said with the implementation of the scheme any beneficiary would be allowed to get food security benefits from any PDS depot.

Danve, who was here to attend a meeting, said for the effective implementation of the scheme 12 clusters have already been established in the country and the scheme would be implemented soon.

"This scheme will provide a sturdy apparatus to PDS system in the country as under this new scheme the consumers need not to apply new ration card in view of migration to other areas of the country. As the same card will be applicable all over the country, the consumer beneficiaries would be able to buy subsidized food items from any ration depot in the country," he said.

He said out of 332 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) procured wheat at national level, Punjab contributes about 129 LMT.

Similarly, Punjab contributes about 113 LMT in the aggregated procurement of rice that touches 416 LMT mark in the country.

Danve said as the wheat procurement would start in the coming weeks the main purpose of his visit was to discuss the arrangements to run the wheat purchase smoothly.-IANS