Shinde gets around EC orders

Shinde had yesterday confirmed his decision to go ahead with the sale of cereals and pulses at subsidised rates to mark the birth anniversary of Meenatai Thackeray, the late wife of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray that falls on January 6. Since this was bang in the period of the model code of conduct, chief electoral officer, D K Shankaran, had warned of action being taken against him if he did so.

Today, Shinde, while disclaiming any role in it, saw to it that the same work was done by social organisations related to the Shiv Sena. Hence, "rationing" of the cereals and pulses were carried out by the Mulund Mahila Sahakari Sanstha and Shiv Angar Mitra Mandal in the Sidhartha Nagar Shiv Sena shakha in Mulund (W) from around 6 pm. The toor dal cost Rs 22 per kg. Sugar was sold at Rs 16, while onions was sold at Rs 12. Wheat and rice were sold at Rs 7.50 and Rs 9 per kg.A total of 18 tonnes of the foodgrains have been stocked at the shakha. There are six tonnes of wheat, three tonnes of onions, four tonnes of rice, three tonnes of sugar and two tonnes of toor dal for the masses. Though Shinde disclaimed any "relation" with the distribution, he said that the organisations will be following a rationing system where each individual will be given a kg of sugar and toor dal, two kgs of onions and five kgs of rice and wheat each. "There are around two to three hundred people standing in queue for the foodgrains," he reiterated.