NASHIK :
Although the above poverty line people are not covered under the National Food Security Scheme, over three crore orange ration cardholders in the state will still be benefited, state Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection Chhagan Bhujbal said here on Saturday.
In a statement issued here, the Minister said that APL cardholders, who had not been included in the National Food Security Scheme, were not eligible for food grains from the ration shops.
However, in view of the current situation of lockdown period, the state government has decided to provide two kg of rice at Rs 12 per kg and three kg of wheat at Rs 8 per kg to per person of the 3.18 crore APL ration cardholders with an annual income of Rs 59,000 to Rs one lakh.
The distribution of the food grains was earlier scheduled to start on May 1, but the distribution of 1.56 lakh MT of food grains has started from April 24 at many places.
Meanwhile, the administration has taken stern action against 87 ration shop owners in the state with the filing of cases against 39 ration shops and revoking licenses of 48 shops, Mr Bhujbal added.
