The State council of ministers today decided to release Public Distribution System (PDS) quota of levy sugar after the Union Government declined to release and to pay the State for it. The main decision was taken before Assembly elections to restore subsidy on sugar under Public Distribution System (PDS) in a meeting of Cabinet, presided by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh late night Cabinet Meeting held yesterday.
The State Government decided to release the levy sugar from the State on kitty after frequent attempt by the State to press this issue to get release the withhold quota of sugar being released by the Centre. Although the consumers would get relief in sugar prices after the decision of Cabinet. The council of ministers was keen to resume the PDS sugar as people of the state of state was not getting it for last seven to eight months however it decided to cut down subsidy drastically.
The State Government would distribute PDS sugar for Rs 18 per kilogram to BPL family and Rs 29 per kg to APL. Earlier PDS levy sugar as being charged Rs 13.50 and Rs 19.50 per kg to BPL and APL families. Talking to media persons Food, Consumer Affairs and Civil Supply Minister G.S. Bali expressed resentment over denial of Modi government to resume the PDS quota by the center which was being released for many years.
In another important decision state council of minister cleared the proposal of regularization of 750 daily wagers who had completed five years of service with the state departments most of the daily wagers belonged to department of Forest. The Cabinet also approved the hike of honorarium to about 1350 PTA (Parent Teacher Association) scheme teachers however the State showed inability to regularize the services of PTA teachers on the regular basis as matter is pending in the Supreme Court.
In a humiliating turn of events, two senior ministers in Virbhadra Singh cabinet, exchanged hot words during the meeting on Monday. The situation got tense during the discussion on giving permit to private tour operators in the State. Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmori had raised some concerns on the issue, but the discussion turned into hot arguments soon. CM Virbhadra Singh had to intervene to pacify both the leaders.
