Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu on Monday clarified that the state government is not supplying different stock under the Re-1-a-kg-rice scheme.
In response to the allegations made by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the Legislative Assembly, that rice of inferior quality is being provided to poor people under the Re-1-a-kg-rice scheme, Sridhar Babu said that the government has only reduced the price of rice from Rs. 2 to Re. 1 per kg. The supplies are still being made by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), he said.
However, he also assured him that the government would take stern action against dealers who supply rice of inferior quality.
Earlier, while participating in the discussion on the No Confidence Motion, Akbaruddin Owaisi showed a sample of coloured rice which was being supplied to white ration-card holders under the scheme.
He also criticised the government for supplying just 4 litres of kerosene oil per month to BPL families. He said that 4 litres per month amounts to just 135 ML of kerosene per day.
"How do you expect the families to cook their food with 135 ML of kerosene? This is not even sufficient to burn a lamp for a day. Nobody can even commit suicide with so little kerosene," he asked.
The MIM floor leader demanded that the state government increase the quota of kerosene to at least 10 litres per month. The Civil Supplies Minister assured that the government would consider his demand. (INN)
filed in:Re. 1 Per Kg Rice, Sridhar Babu, Civil Supplies, Akbaruddin Owaisi