No Dal in the Atta-Dal scheme by the Punjab Government
The supply of pulses is yet to be restored under the Atta-Dal scheme even after one year of Congress government in Punjab. Dal was last distributed during the previous SAD-BJP government. When the scheme was started, 1 kg of pulses per month was given to each beneficiary at Rs 20 with an upper cap of 2.5 kg in a family. However, the price was increased to Rs 30 per kg during the last supply. Now, the state government is again distributing subsidised wheat to each beneficiary at Rs 2 per kg for a month, but not dal. Diwan Chand, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, Muktsar, said, “We have got the wheat and are distributing it among the beneficiaries through the ration depots in the villages and municipal wards. We have not got the supply of dal. Even at that time, the pulses had come after a gap of almost a year.” Malkit Singh, an activist of the farm labourers’ union at Muktsar, said, “In some villages, even wheat is not being distributed among the beneficiaries for the past nine months. We have met the local officers of the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh must intervene and release the atta-dal on time.” Anindita Mitra, Director, Food and Civil Supplies Department, said, “PUNSUP procures dal and supplies it further among the beneficiaries. We are only distributing wheat among the atta-dal scheme beneficiaries.” Amarpal Singh, Managing Director, PUNSUP, said, “I assumed this charge about six months ago and from that time, pulses have not been distributed.” Sukhjeet Pal Singh, General Manager (P&A), PUNSUP, said, “We have raised the demand for funds and are awaiting it. Once the funds are released, the pulses will be purchased and distributed among the beneficiaries. The last time pulses were distributed among the beneficiaries was just before the state elections. Thereafter, we have not purchased pulses under this scheme.” -PTC News
