Bangalore: Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said action had been initiated against those selling PDS foodgrains in black market.

He told presspersons here that legal action had been initiated against 65 people who were selling rice meant for distribution under the Anna Bhagya scheme in black market and 40 criminal cases had been booked. “Nearly 9,000 quintals of rice and 225 quintals of wheat had been seized and licences of 24 ration shops suspended,” he said.

Suspended

Four Deputy Directors of the department and 10 depot managers had been suspended for their alleged involvement in the sale of PDS foodgrains in black market.

The Minister said the process of constituting vigilance committee to oversee proper utilisation of PDS foodgrains was under way.

“We will not show any mercy in filing criminal cases against those involved in irregularities and selling PDS foodgrains in black market. Efforts are on to trace bogus cards. Electronic weighing machines and CCTV cameras will be installed in godowns,” he said.

Distribution of ragi under PDS would check the sale of rice in black market to an extent, he said. Over 8 lakh new BPL cards had been distributed and another 4 lakh cards were ready for distribution, the Minister said.