The launch of the free rice scheme in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa under the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) will take place at three outlets of TUCS in Sriram Nagar, Alwarpet, here.
The new scheme, as announced in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam election manifesto, calls for distribution of 20 kg free rice to 1.83 crore cardholders and 18.62 lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries.
Through the ration shops, the State government has been providing 3.81 lakh tonnes of standardised rice, for which it had provided food subsidy of Rs.3,400 crore, an increase of Rs.400 crore. The rice will be distributed proportionate to the number of members in a family, from 12 kg to 20 kg a month per card, except in the Nilgiris where the minimum is 16 kg and maximum is 24 kg per card.
Besides this, 35 kg a month will be distributed to the cardholders covered under Antyodaya Scheme.
According to TUCS officials, Alwarpet shop no. 1, shop no. 2 and Sriram Nagar shop no.1 have 1,241; 684; and 1,119 cardholders, of which AAY cardholders are 24, nil and 18 respectively.
“Free rice would be distributed on all the working days. Cardholders can call the State Consumers helpline 044-2859 2828 to express their grievances or complaints. Besides, special consumer cells are formed at Collector's office with a separate telephone number,” said Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Commissioner, K. Balachandran.
A flying squad has been formed in all the districts to monitor the execution of free rice scheme and they have been asked to carry out surprise checks, he said.
