Claiming that the public distribution system (PDS) in the Union Territory was in utter disarray, AIADMK Legislature Party Leader A. Anbalagan on Thursday said that the government should revive the PDS and make it function vibrantly.
Addressing reporters here, Mr. Anbalagan said the PDS in the Union Territory had been reduced to such a state that a few pro-ruling party employees were drawing salaries without doing any work except carrying out distribution of free rice once in six months.
“The Civil Supplies Department in Puducherry has been confining itself to issuing identification cards to the public. It (the failed PDS) is a great betrayal of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy,” he said.
In contrast, the Tamil Nadu Government had put in place an efficient PDS and allocated Rs. 5,300 crore as food subsidy towards the programme.
Alleging there were so many anomalies in categorisation of ration cards to public, he said several government servants were holding cards meant for people who were below poverty line even while many among the needy did not have such cards. He urged the government to identify the real beneficiaries under the new Food Security Act and implement the provisions effectively.