Flour instead of wheat for BPL card holders

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 DEC: Following the state government's order the food and supplies department in Malda has started distribution of flour instead of wheat to the consumers belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) since last week.

Distribution of flour through the public distribution system (PDS) has evoked mixed response as many consumers are demanding wheat instead. According to some of them, the quality of flour may be inferior to that of wheat. The BPL families are getting flour packets each weighing 750 gms for Rs 5 only.

Flour packets were being sold among the BPL consumers seeking their consent. When the consumers refused to buy flour, the respected pulse dealers dealers asked them to lodge complaints if they were not satisfied with its quality. Howeber, the dealers’ association has demanded wheat for distribution in favour of the BPL consumers.

A senior inspector of the food and supplies department, Mr NK Das said: “Distribution of flour will begin from next week, if the millers can supply adequate flour packets on time. Millers have not supplied enough flour packs so far.”

Following the government order, the district controller of food and supplies will supply wheat to the local flour mills through Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The authorised distributors will collect flour from millers for dealers.

According to officials of food and supplies department, distribution of flour has been already started in some other districts more than one month ago.