Haryana forfeits security of 2,261 PDS dealers

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 22: In order to ensure smooth functioning of the public distribution system (PDS), the Haryana Government has forfeited security of 2261 PDS dealers amounting to Rs 10.68 lakh from April, 1998 to February 1999.

In a statement here today, Haryana Food and Supplies Minister Ganeshi Lal said that the security of 123 PDS dealers amounting to Rs 53,000 was forfeited in February, 1999. The government had also cancelled the licenses of 156 erring PDS dealers during the current financial year, he added. Of these, 13 licences were cancelled in February alone.

Lal said the government had also seized goods worth over Rs 50,000 and initiated action against the 66 erring PDS dealers, while 26 persons were arrested. There are 7,716 fair price shops in the state out, with nearly 5,100 being in the rural areas.