The State government has sanctioned nearly Rs. 470 crore towards the extension of the special public distribution system, under which pulses, edible oil and other condiments are given at subsidised prices. The tenure of the special PDS is to expire on Saturday (December 31). The supply of pulses and other condiments has been extended by three more months and that of edible oil by nine months, according to a government official. At periodical intervals, the government has been extending the special PDS. The reason for extending the supply of edible oil by nine months is attributed to the decision of the Central government. On an average every month, the State requires 14,000 tonnes of toor dhal, 10,500 tonnes of urad dhal, 1.76 crore one-litre pouches of palmolein oil and two lakh tonnes of other condiments. Apart from getting a portion of them from the Central government's agencies, the State government procures them from the open market through its Civil Supplies Corporation. For urad dhal and toor dhal, the Central government provides subsidy to the tune of 10 per cent of the purchase price. In the case of palmolein oil, it gives 15 per cent subsidy. As regards fortified atta and other condiments, there is no Central subsidy and the State government absorbs the entire difference between the purchase price and the selling price of such commodities. The figures of purchase price for toor dhal and urad dhal are Rs. 54.75 and Rs. 46.60, excluding the component of Central subsidy. The two pulses of one kg are supplied to holders of family cards at Rs. 30 each. As for palmolein oil, the purchase price is Rs. 44 per litre whereas the selling price is Rs. 25. Of the purchase price for the edible oil, the State government gets 15 per cent subsidy from the Centre. As regards fortified atta and other condiments, the authorities procure them at Rs. 16 per kg and Rs. 41.50 per kg and sell them at Rs.11 and Rs. 25. Of the total subsidy amount now sanctioned by the State government, around Rs. 322 crore is earmarked for palmolein oil. The tenure of the special PDS to expire on Saturday At periodical intervals, the government has been extending the special PDS