Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan said that biometric systems will help plug PDS leakages. (File)
Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Girish Mahajan has said that after implementation of the biometric system in Public Distribution System, fair price shops in the state would be allowed to sell some more items and their commission would also be hiked.
Mr Mahajan asked local leaders to work with the administration and ensure that fair price shops in Thane district were linked with the new biometric system at the earliest.
"Since last year there have been efforts to bring in radical changes in the department for which the state and the centre is giving a helping hand," he said adding that modernisation of the department was happening at a fast pace and the biometric system would soon become operational.
"This will ensure that the system is efficient and transparent, and help eliminate corruption and irregularities in the PDS," he added.
The minister urged ration officers to visit houses of the people besides visiting fair price shops and take their feedback about the system.
Commenting on the recent spike in Tur Dal prices, Mr Mahajan said that there was sufficient supply of the pulse and that prices would come down by nearly Rs 80 soon. He reiterated that the government would take stringent action against those found indulging in black marketing and hoarding.
There are presently 15 storage silos in Thane district with a capacity of 7 250 metric tonnes and a proposal has already gone to the government to add 8 more storage silos to enhance existing capacity.
Deputy Collector Farogue Mukadam made a presentation in the meeting about the present state of food grain storage and stock and the fair price shops in the district.