The decision was taken today at a meeting held with senior officers of the food supply department.

The decision follows a number of complaints received by the department against ration shop owners at the time of issuing of ration cards to above poverty line (APL) and below poverty line (BPL).

In maximum complaints the cardholders had said that the shopkeepers did not open their shops. The ration meant for poor people were not available to them. Instead, the foodgrains issued to the shops from the Food Corporation of India was directly transported to flour mills. A number of trucks were caught red handed.

The meeting also discussed black marketing of food grains, sugar and pulses. The officers submitted the details collected during raids conducted against hoarding in various areas of the Capital recently. Around 40 FIRs were lodged against shop owners, gas agencies and wholesale dealers.