Taking cognizance of the complaint from BJP regarding photographs of political leaders on PDS bags and ration cards, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has stopped distributing PDS bags or ration cards carrying photographs of political leaders were now being given to the consumers.
Directions had been issued to Food and Civil Supplies Department to withdraw the PDS bags and ration cards carrying pictures of political leaders.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department clarified that PDS bags with photographs were provided to limited number of those beneficiaries, who were invited to the launch of the National Food Security Act, 2013 on 20th September, 2013 much before the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct.
As per the directions, Draft forms were being sent to all the DFSCs and BDOs. All the BDOs have been directed to print sufficient number of plain forms (without any photographs) for the Gram Panchayats under their control and they have been further directed to distribute these to the panchayats secretaries so that fresh forms may be made available to the general public. In the urban areas, DFSCs would ensure that people get plain forms at the earliest.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department has also informed that SMS have been sent to all Panchayati Raj members (Pradhan, Up-Pradhans, Ward Members) and Gram Panchayat Secretaries in this regard and DFSCs, BDOs and inspectors have also been informed.
Earlier, BJP had objected the distribution of PDS bags and ration cards and complaint to Election Commission and sought immediate intervene of commission.
