The launch of 20 kilograms of free rice is expected to benefit 7,08,381 cardholders and another 55,000 cards get 35 kg of rice under the Centre's Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme through 1,314 ration shops in the district.
Collector U. Sagayam, District Supply Officer (in-charge) Saraswathi and other officials inspected a few ration shops in the city and rural pockets on Wednesday.
The State Government had announced the launch of free rice under the new scheme as promised in its election manifesto.
According to an official spokesman, Mr. Sagayam visited a shop at Alwarpuram, where he checked the quality of rice. Many beneficiaries, who had assembled there from as early as 9 a.m., went home with the free rice bag happily. Initially, many journalists were baffled over the absence of AIADMK party functionaries and cadres for the inaugural function, but later, some of the party men claimed that they had been instructed to keep away from such events by their leaders.
No fanfare
The usual fanfare too was missing at many ration shops.
This was welcome by the consumers and the salesmen at the shops gave away the rice bags without any hassle.
