FAISALABAD, Sept 14: The provincial food department has warned all district administrations against pressurising the poor people to purchase the full package of `Sasta ration scheme,’ it is learnt here.

Through a letter sent to all districts, the department said the scheme did not entail any such condition.

Reports said the department had come to know that the people were being forced to buy all items included in the scheme.

Food department sources said: “No body is bound to purchase the complete package. One can buy according to one’s finances. If the practice continues delinquents will have to face the music.”

The Punjab government had launched the one-year scheme on Aug 1 for poor families.

Under the scheme, the government is providing a 10kg flour bag for Rs100 to each of one million poor families through coupons. Each family will get 2kg each of two pulses (masoor and chana) at Rs10 per kg cheaper than the market rate.

Before launching of the scheme, all DCOs had been directed to identify the deserving families in their areas and provide them with coupons.

Meanwhile, people have complained of provision of substandard edibles at different sale points.

When contacted, a district officer said: “We are making our utmost in this noble assignment. There may be some unscrupulous elements involved in forcing the poor to purchase all items of daily use.”

He confirmed that the food department had warned the district governments in this regard.

FCCI POLLS: Eight candidates were elected unopposed to industry and trade classes seats of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.