1.99 cr smart cards issued in one year: Minister

Addressing newspersons, after attending a meeting on consumer protection at a Metrowater office in Chennai, the minister said, “The scheme to provide smart cards was launched a year ago to tackle fake ration cards and to target the needy. Within a year, we have distributed 1.99 crore smart cards to enable people get essential commodities in the PDS shops.”

Around 3.15 lakh metric tonnes of rice and wheat are distributed to smart card holders per month for free. Sugar, Toor dhal and palm oil are provided at a subsidised rate, the minister said.

He further said consumer redressal meetings are conducted on every second Saturdays. In the last 8 years of AIADMK rule, action has been taken on 7.61 lakh petitions the same day they were received.

According to him, consumers claiming compensation for less than Rs 20 lakh can approach district consumer redressal forum, while those claiming an amount between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 1 crore can approach the state consumer redressal forum. However, those claiming more than Rs 1 crore should approach the national consumer redressal forum.

Kamaraj directed the officials to ensure the rights of consumers are protected and their grievances promptly addressed.