Rs 2 per kg rice: Scheme to benefit 1.85 cr card holders monthly

Hyderabad, Apr 8 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Minister K Venkata Krishna Reddy today said 3.40 lakh metric tonnes of rice would be distributed to 1.85 crore white card holders every month under 'Rs 2 per kg rice' scheme, which will be launched by the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at Jadcharla in Mahaboob Nagar district tomorrow.

Addressing the press here, Mr Reddy said the state government had procured sufficient rice with the coordination of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to implement the scheme successfully. The government would bear Rs 1,980 crore burden, as it had already allocated funds in the 2008-09 Budget.

Stating that all the white card holders who were getting rice at subsidised rate of Rs 5.25 at present would be benefitted with the new scheme, he said, and added palm oil and Red gram would also be distributed through the fair price shops at Rs 60 and Rs 35 per kg, respectively in two months.

The government was also planning to conduct 'social audit' on the implementation of the scheme at village levels to plug the loopholes and curb black-marketing, the Minister said, adding that the modalities were under preparation.

Mr Reddy said 'Integrated Flying Squad System' would be introduced at district level under the control of the Collector to check the irregularities. Senior officers were also deputed to monitor the effective implementation.

A Rapid Response Team would be constituted at state level under the control of an IAS official, which could receive complaints from the people and respond immediately. A toll free number would be given to the state people shortly.

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