Maha lockdown: Anarchy if people don't get food, says Bhujbal

Mumbai, Apr 7 () There will be anarchy if people donot get food during the lockdown for the coronavirus outbreak,Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Tuesday and askedpublic distribution system (PDS) staff and fair price shopowners to ensure eligible beneficiaries get food.

State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhujbal alsocalled for taking steps to ensure there is no black marketingand hoarding of food grains.

He praised officials from his department, fair priceshopkeepers, doctors, police, farmers and other essentialservices providers for risking their lives to help the peopleduring the lockdown.

"I want to tell those attached to the PDS and fairprice shopkeepers that their work is most important today.There will be anarchy if people do not get food,"Bhujbal saidin a video message.

"I have given rights to district collectors and civilsupplies officers to ensure streamlined supply in the state.You (shopkeepers) should take care that eligible beneficiariesget food grains. We will ave to take care there is no blackmarketing and hoarding of food grain," he added.

Bhujbal said he has been holding dialogue with thestate home minister (Anil Deshmukh) to ensure streamlinedsupply of food to the people.

He urged civil supplies, revenue and police officialsto ensure proper coordination to ensure there is no foodshortage. ENMBNM BNM