: What is the cost of a kilogram of ration rice given under the Antyodaya scheme to the tribespeople of Edamalakkudy at Re.1? Ask anyone, they will say it is Rs.11.
The reason is that the poorest people have to bear the cost of carrying the ration to the tribal hamlet on head from Pettimudy to Societykudy — a distance of 18 km on the forest path.
Realising their plight, the government had decided to pay the price of carrying the ration rice so as to make it available at Re.1 a kg.
However, since February 1, the tribespeople have been bearing the cost as the fund has not been allotted for a year.
The Devikulam Girijan Service Society, through which ration rice is supplied, has to be paid over Rs.23 lakh if it is to be given at Re.1.
No money
Edamalakkudy grama panchayat president Govindaraj told The Hindu over phone that there was a famine-like situation in the settlements as the people had no money to purchase the ration rice. The only way of income in the settlements was the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
“But, for the past three months, no wages have been given to them,” Mr. Govindaraj said adding that the main works undertaken under the scheme were clearing agriculture fields and other farming works in addition to construction of roads. He said the tribespeople purchase only 1 or 2 kg of ration rice as they are penniless.
Mr. Govindaraj said the society had informed the panchayat that for a year, the fund for carrying the ration rice had not been received and they were unable to supply rice at Re.1. Mr. Govindaraj said had the MGNREGS fund been allotted to the tribespeople, it would not have rendered them in a famine-like situation. In Edamalakkudy, the cultivation of food crops was stopped over a decade ago as wild animals constantly raided the crops.
