PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N Rangasamy, on Monday, categorically ruled out the possibility of paying Rs 3.16 per kilo as incentive to the millers for single boiled rice procured from them for distribution under the PDS.Addressing a gathering at a function, organised for the launch of issuance of the Aadhar integrated smart cards, he said he had urged the Central government to ensure that the Union Territory was allotted single boiled rice for distribution under ‘free rice scheme’ through the Public Distribution System.He said the Central government was paying Rs 15.75 for procuring single boiled rice through its agency Food Corporation of India.The Rs 3.16 incentive was started by the previous Congress government. Either the Central government should give the single boiled rice or should pay the full amount to the millers without putting the burden on the state government, he said. The government, which was facing financial crunch, could save nearly `24 crore, which was the incentive amount for the 78000 metric ton of rice procured for distribution and the amount thus saved could be spent on the development schemes of the state.Rangasamy said the double boiled rice, which was bigger in size and slightly yellowish in colour, was supplied through the PDS for the last two months and added that steps were being taken to ensure distribution of single boiled rice through the PDS shops.Rangasamy said that a few millers have come forward to supply the rice at `15.75 and other millers would also follow them.Earlier, chief secretary M Sathiyavathy said there was a “slight amount of dissatisfaction” among the people of Puducherry, who were forced to consume double boiled rice as the FCI was supplying double boiled rice for the PDS. She pointed out that the people of UT had been used to consuming single boiled rice.She said the government was forced to distribute it (double boiled rice) as the Food Corporation of India was providing only that rice for the last couple of months.The Chief Secretary urged Ravneet Kaur, Joint secretary in Ministry to Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, who was present at the function, to take up the matter of single boiled rice with the ministry. Sathiyavathy said the enrolment of the Aadhar integrated smart cards in the Karaikal and Yanam would be completed by March 31.
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