Install GPS in all public distribution vehicles, KSRTC: DC

MANGALORE: All vehicles that transport goods meant for public distribution under government subsidy schemes, sand trucks and KSRTC buses will have GPS system to monitor its movement in Dakshina Kannada, if the directions of the district administration are adhered strictly.
The move came in the wake of complaints regarding diversion of rice under Anna Bhagya scheme of the state government and similar other misappropriations in the public distribution system and supply of LPG.Deputy commissioner AB Ibrahim at a meeting on Thursday directed officials of the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, Mangalore City Corporation, KSRTC and oil company representatives to have GPS system in their vehicles soon.
The DC said that the intention of the district administration is to ensure transparency in the transportation of items meant for distribution under subsidy schemes.
"There are complaints that the vehicles that carry LPG, kerosene, diesel and food grains are being diverted to different routes and thereby pave way for pilferage.
Our intention is to plug all such leakages. There should be transparency even in the transportation of garbage. All such vehicles should ply on the specified routes and it can be monitored effectively only through the installation of GPS equipment," the DC said.
He directed the officials of KSRTC that GPS should be made compulsory in all the rural services. "There are complaints from people that buses to remote places either do not go to the permitted destination or cancel without prior information. This can be monitored effectively, if the KSRTC install GPS in all their rural services.
The city corporation should keep a tab on the movement of all trucks that carry garbage by installing GPS. Bills for such trucks should be cleared only after obtaining the GPS report," Ibrahim said.
Directions have been given to department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, which supplies foodgrains and kerosene to ration card holders through fair price shops. Department deputy director Sharanabasappa said that the GPS will be made compulsory for all trucks from September 1.
The DC told the officials of the department of mines and geology to make GPS mandatory for all trucks that carry sand. "By August 31, all trucks that carry sand should have GPS system," the DC said adding that the department concerned will monitor the movement of vehicles through server back up.