HP Govt accuses Centre of reducing rice quota

Shimla, Sep 02 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government today accused the Central Government of reducing rice quota under Public Distribution System (PDS) to the state.

Civil and Supply Minster Ramesh Dhawala, who was replying to the query of BJP member Mahinder Singh Thakur in the state assembly during question hour, said that rice quota under PDS system had been reduced to above poverty line (APL) families from 20 kg to 15 kg due to reduction in the State Rice quota by the UPA government.

He said that state government was paying Rs 90 crore subsidy for various commodities in the state and charged the previous congress regime for burdening the state exchequer by announcing subsidy on pulses and other items without making any budgetary provisions.

Replying to supplementary question, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that after coming to power his government had released subsidy of Rs 80 crore to compensate the burden due to the previous government.

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