The Hindu Business Line : AP launching Rs 2/kg rice scheme today

Hyderabad, April 8 Reviving the populist Rs 2-a-kg rice, the Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh is launching the scheme beginning Wednesday. It is expected to cover 1.87 crore poor families, who hold a white (ration) card, touching nearly six crore population in the State. Announcing this here on Tuesday at a press conference, Mr Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, Minister for Civil Supplies, said that the Government had put in an elaborate distribution and vigilance mechanism. Under the scheme, each eligible household would get 20 kg of rice every month.

To ensure smooth distribution, about 41,000 dealers would take part in the process.

It is estimated that it would cost the exchequer Rs 1,980 crore. It would require 3.4 lakh tonnes of rice annually. As the difference between the cost of rice in the scheme and in the open market is Rs 11, there could be scope for pilferages.

Vigilance

Identifying this need, the Government had put in place an elaborate vigilance mechanism both at State and district level. At the State level, an exclusive cell headed by an IPS officer would monitor the process. Besides, a rapid response team had been set up at the office of Commissioner of Civil Supplies. At the district level, teams had been formed under the leadership of the collectors. Meanwhile, Ms Poonam Malakondaiah, Commissioner, said there would be social audit on the implementation of the scheme from April 15 to 20 in gram sabhas. There would be flying squads to keep tabs on the erring dealers.

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