DMK flays govt.’s decision to remit money in lieu of distributing rice to ration cardholders in U.T.

PUDUCHERRY Convenor of DMK’s Puducherry unit R. Siva has flayed the AINRC-BJP government for adopting the cash transfer mode instead of distributing free rice under the scheme in the Union Territory. In a statement, the DMK leader said the government had not distributed free rice through ration shops for the last nine months.

Now, the government has remitted money into the accounts of ration cardholders in lieu of free rice meant for six months. The amount remitted by the government was based on a calculation of ₹43 per kg for the rice, he said. However, the cash remitted was not sufficient for buying rice due to cost escalation.

The price of rice has gone up substantially in the open market and the money given by the government would be inadequate for the residents to buy the required quantity, he said. “The government’s decision to adopt Direct Benefit Transfer mode was a betrayal of the mandate given by the people. The Chief Minister had promised the voters to provide rice through ration shops.