Mangaluru: State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Minorities Welfare and Wakf B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan laid the foundation for the Mapana Bhavan, a complex that will house offices of the Legal Metrology Department , on the KHB land near Kudupu on October 11, Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the government was able to save nearly Rs 580 cores due to the introduction of biometric system for distribution of food grains under PDS. Though there are some loopholes in the system, pilferage has been checked to a great extent, he said.

Consequent upon a written request made by Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas D Kamath, the minister stunned everyone present on the occasion by stating that he would sanction Rs 5 crore as per the request of the MLA towards the welfare of the minorities in his constituency.

Presiding over the function, MLA Vedavyas Kamath said he was happy that the minister has sanctioned the amount and had promised release of Rs 3 crores in a week. He thanked the minister for the same.

Mayor Bhasker K, District Wakf Board Chairman Kanachur Monu, Joint Director of Department of Food and Civil Supplies Srinivas, Legal Metrology Department Controller Dr KN Anuradha and others were present.