Chandigarh, February 12 Gram panchayats have been actively involved to improve the functioning of public distribution system (PDS). Panchayat members would verify the entries of items of PDS made in the stock registers of the fair price shops of the State Food and Supplies Department. A spokesman of the Food and Supplies Department said according to a charter of citizens' rights issued by the Food and Supplies Department, the gram panchayats have also been empowered to hear and redress the grievances of the people concerning PDS. The gram panchayat would have to submit a monthly report regarding functioning of PDS to the panchayat samiti. He said these steps have been initiated to improve the functioning of PDS in the state. Monitoring committees have also been reconstituted in urban and rural areas. In case of rural areas, the members of such committees included sarpanch and panches belonging to Scheduled Castes and patwaris. Similarly, in case of urban areas, the members include Municipal councillors, former councillor, sub-divisional officer (Civil) or a female representative of the local area. It has also been made mandatory for the allotees of fair price shops to put up a notice board in front of the shop to display information concerning the timings of opening and closing of the shop and the list of items, with prices, which are in stock. The allotee of the fair price shop would also have to maintain a stock register as well as a sale register. A charter of citizens' rights has been prepared by the Food and Supplies Department to apprise the people about the activities of the Department. Also, it would make the functioning of the department transparent. In summer, from April 1 to September 30, the fair price shops would remain open from 8 am to noon and from 5 pm to 8 pm. Similarly, during winter, from October 1 to March 31, the shops will remain open from 8 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm. In case any allotte of the fair price shop keeps the shop closed during these hours, the gram panchayat concerned or the departmental officer should be informed of this irregularity.