PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today commenced the distribution of half a kilogram of free sunflower oil to all ration card holders in the Union Territory.
According to an official release, the chief minister had announced the supply of half a kilogram of sunflower oil every month from November in place of the two kilograms of free wheat provided through the Public Distribution system(PDS).
The government discontinued the distribution of free wheat in November after the card holders refused to take wheat from the Fair price shops through which it was supplied. Their contention being that the wheat supplied was mixed with non-edible products and the quality of the wheat grains were also sub-standard quality. Political parties also faulted the All India NR Congress (AINRC)government in this regard.
The Chief Minister N Rangasamy after inspection of the FPS had directed the Department of Civil supplies and Consumer affairs not to go ahead with the distribution. After much consideration , the government has decided to provide sunflower oil instead of wheat.
As per the announcement of the chief minister, he today inaugurated the supply of the free oil in a shop at Kadirgamam, providing one Kg oil , the quota for November and December.
As many as 2,50,000 card holders in Puducherry,57,000 in Karaikal,8000 in Mahe and 16,000 in Yanam regions will be benefitted. The exchequer will incur and additional expenditure of Rs.1.14 crores a month, the release said.
Legislator A Tamilselvan and senior officials were present on the occasion.