Perambalur, Aug 26 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Food Minister A V Velu has expressed his concern over the activities of the Civil Supplies department in this district of Tamil Nadu and said the officials should take care of the offences under the Essential Commodities Act.

The Minister, who made this observation, while holding a review meeting with the officials here yesteday, said 12,235 bogus ration cards had been detected and cancelled in Namakkal district and 11,860 cards in Karur district. However, in this district, officials had detected and cancelled only 2,810 cards, he added.

Mr Velu said the complaints could be lodged over telephone to the authorities concerned or to the Minister.

Earlier the minister conducted surprise checks of a few price shops at Ammapalayam and Nakkasalem villages near here and ascertained the proper distribution of essential commodities to the card-holders.

Addressing a similar meeting at Karur, Mr Velu said efforts should be made to ensure smooth functioning of the Public Distribution System(PDS). The officials should also take steps to to redress the grievances of the people, he added.

Mr Velu said stringent action would be taken against those involved in smuggling of essential commodities, he added.

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