PUDUCHERRY: Stating that cash for free rice was not a solution for ensuring food security, former Lok Sabha member M Ramdass has suggested introduction of coupons for purchasing rice in the open market.
In a statement, Ramadass said distributing money would not ensure food security but will only create perpetual problems for the poor. The need for cash among the poor households is high as majority of the heads in the households are addicted to drinking and they would spend the money on this. If cash is replaced by food coupons, the family would be at liberty to exchange them for rice in the open market where the coupons cannot be used for any other purpose.