The Hindu : Front Page : Administrative nod for rice at Rs.2 a kg

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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Administrative nod for rice at Rs.2 a kg

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has issued administrative sanction for the distribution of rice at Rs. 2 a kg to families below the poverty line (BPL) and members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, fishermen and beneficiaries of the Asraya Scheme living above the poverty line (APL).

The scheme will be formally inaugurated on May 18 in Thiruvananthapuram and May 19 in other districts.

An official release said since the final list of Scheduled Caste families was not ready, they would be provided rice at the concession rate on the basis of caste certificate or SSLC book of any member of the family.

At the same time, those who are employees in government, public sector, cooperatives and local self-governments would not be eligible for the benefit as per the decision of the Cabinet last week. The scheme had been announced in the Budget for the current year.

Problem redressal

The Office of the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies said in a release that the government was willing to address any problem in the implementation of the Budget proposal.

Regretting reports that tended to create confusion, the office said the deficiencies in the system should not be exaggerated.

The APL and BPL categorisation was in existence since 1997. The Centre provided rice at lower rates to only 15 lakh people in the State.

However, the State provided the subsidy for another five lakh people included in the BPL list approved by it. The State subsidy on one kg of rice supplied by the Centre was Rs. 3.20 a kg. It said the list of beneficiary families of the Asraya Scheme was available with the Social Welfare Department.

The list of fishermen was available with the State Fishermen Welfare Board. The list of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families would be finalised after considering petitions from members.

Besides, the government had decided to conduct fresh survey for revising the BPL list, using the services of teachers. This comprehensive list would become available soon.

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