AIADMK demands continuation of free rice scheme

Puducherry, Feb 22: Opposition AIADMK today lambasted the AINRC government for causing 'chaos and confusion' in the working of the free rice scheme, envisaging supply of 10 kg rice to every family in Puducherry and Karaikal regions.

AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan told reporters here the scheme was one of the poll promises by the ruling AINRC. Chief Minister N Rangasamy, the party founder had promised in the run up to the 2011 poll that each family would be given 20 kg free rice every month if his party was voted to power.

But this had not been done. He said the decision to disburse Rs 300 per family instead of rice was confusing as government had further decided that cash instead of rice would be available through bank accounts of the wife or woman member in the family.

A sizeable chunk of women had no bank accounts and Aadhaar cards to which the cash disbursement would be linked had also not been issued to many families.

Under the circumstances the modified free rice scheme to deposit the cash in the name of the wife or woman member would meet with failure and would be given up ultimately by the government.

Anbalagan said that the government should desist from modifying the scheme and rice should continue to be available on the basis of ration cards through fair price shops.

PTI