‘Blacklist contractors who pack poor quality Pongal’

 ‘Blacklist contractors who pack poor quality Pongal’

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TIMES NEWS NETWORK

22.01.2022

Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin has instructed officials to blacklist contractors, who were found to have supplied substandard items given in Pongal gift hamper.

Stalin, who held a review meeting on distribution of Pongal gift hampers in the wake of complaints from opposition parties that the items given were of poor quality, told officials to take action against staff who were responsible for bringing disrepute to the government. A statement from the government said Stalin had warned of strict action against those behind the irregularities. “He instructed that only quality products should be given to the public and that officials should not allow anyone to bring disrepute to the government,” the statement said.

Government officials should ensure that all the commodities given in the gift hamper at ration shops are of good quality and of prescribed quantity. “Stern action should be taken on erring staff,” he said.

The statement said that though the gift hamper distribution had received an overwhelming response from the public, there were complaints in few places about the commodities. These complaints were inquired into and action was taken on agencies that supplied the substandard items, the statement added.

Though only six items were given as part of Pongal gift hamper by the previous government, the present government was giving 21 items. The government had taken concerted efforts to procure quality products, the statement said.