No free rice for MPs, MLAs and some govt. employees

Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Monday said members of Parliament, Legislative Assembly, Group “A” and “B” employees of the Central government, State government, Union Territory and other government-funded institutions would be excluded from the purview of the free rice scheme. Similarly, income tax payees, service tax payers and owners of heavy vehicles would not get free rice.

In a release, Ms. Bedi said the Department of Civil Supplies had been asked to conduct a survey to identify the poor and needy families among the yellow ration cardholders in the first phase and among the red ration cardholders in the second phase who satisfy the criterion for “priority households” under the Puducherry rules.

Choice for beneficiaries

During the survey, beneficiaries would be asked to indicate whether they prefer free rice or cash. If the beneficiaries opt for cash, then the amount would be transferred into the bank account of the eldest woman member of the priority household as provided in the National Food Security Act, 2013.

“This survey would be completed in three months. After conclusion of survey, the free rice entitlements would be extended only to the poor and needy families as per Puducherry Rules, and as per individual opinion, that is either in cash or in kind. ”

The Lt. Governor had directed the Civil Supplies department to work out a protocol of periodic testing and monitoring of rice sold under the Public Distribution System in consultation with the Finance Department and the Chief Vigilance Officer.