Announcing this, Karnataka's Food and Civil Supplies Minister G Basavanappa told media persons here on Wednesday that the amendment would provide the state government with powers to initiate action against dealers selling adulterated petrol. This would imply cancelling the licenses of dealers found selling adulterated petrol. At the moment the state has no such authority under the Central Act he said, in response to a query regarding instances of adulterated petrol being sold in the city.

He also announced that with the Centre agreeing to enhance the state's quota of rice and wheat for the public distribution system, the demand for these commodities would be fully met. An enhanced supply of 10,000 metric tonnes(mt) of rice and 20,000 mtof wheat would be arriving in the state within a couple of days, the minister said. This would be in addition to the regular supply of 70,000 mt of rice and 20,000 mt of wheat, he added.

He said that there would be no more extensions on the last date for submitting applications for green cards in the state. He was responding to a question regarding the charge by the BJP legislature party leader KS Eshwarappa that there was an imbalance in the district-wise distribution of green cards. The minister said that a total of 67 lakh people were being provided green cards in the state. This after twice extending the last date for applications, to facilitate those who had been left out in the original list. So far 66 lakh people have been given cards with another lakh likely to be covered by the current drive.

Devi Sugars: The state government is expected to take a decision on Saturday regarding the running of the sick sugar unit - Devi Sugars, in the joint sector. The unit which was taken over by the statelate last year, will be managed jointly with the state retaining a controlling interest with 51 per cent equity. Three private sector companies have indicated an interest in the unit, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the state has earned a revenue of Rs.4.50 crore from the sale of sugar from the unit, he said. Forty per cent of that amount will be distributed among the workforce, 40 per cent among farmers and the remaining 20 per cent to the banks against the mortgage on the property.

But in view of the State Bank of Mysore having taken the matter to court, the amount has not yet been disbursed, the minister said. Nevertheless the state government has invited SBM representatives to a meeting on Oct.18 to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.