Parties tear into decision on rice cut

No instructions to stop rice to kids: Eatala

Hyderabad: The decision of the TRS government to issue oral instructions to the civil supplies department not to release rice quota to children below five years of age has come in for strong criticism from opposition parties.

It may be recalled that The Hans India on Sunday published a report about the decision of the government to stop rice quota for children under five years. “The decision clearly shows how insensitive the government is towards the needs of the poor,” said Telangana-TDP president L Ramana talking to The Hans India.

The TRS had promised “Bangaru Telangana” before elections but now slowly it is burdening the poor people. The TDP has been cautioning that the government was anti-poor and this exposure by The Hans India proves the point, he said.

The government should clearly explain why it had taken such a unilateral decision. It is a brazen attempt to deprive the poor from availing subsidized rice, he said. The TTDP, he said, would hold a meeting with the district-level leaders and chalk out an action plan against the government. The party was planning to organise dharnas in all villages if the government did not relent.

The Congress party also condemned the government decision for denying the monthly ration for children. The official spokesperson of TPCC P Indira Shoban said that Congress, which has initiated various schemes for public welfare, will not accept the decision. Questioning the rationality of the government, the State Congress spokesperson held that the government which came to power with various promises has done injustice to poor people.

“What does the government think? Children below 5 year do not eat food,” she questioned. The issue would be discussed with party president and other senior leaders in New Delhi, she said.The CPI held the decision as the clear case of injustice to the poor. CPI State secretary Chada Venkat Reddy lamented that the government, which promised three-acre of land to Dalits, failed to fulfil its promise.

“While the poor suffer, those who are in power are involved in swindling of crores of rupees,” he alleged.TBJP president G Kishan Reddy, while condemning the decision, said that he would gather full details about ration provision, discuss with party leaders and work out an action plan to see that the poor are not denied of their right.

The government feels that children below three do not require that much of rice. The quantity of rice thus saved could be given to other beneficiaries, he added.Since, a majority of children in the age group of 0-3 years are being fed in Anganwadi centres, the government has asked authorities to identify the exact number of such children whose names have been included in the ration card applications. The government is going to issue fresh cards from April and hence this exercise. “The government wants to ensure that every grain of rice reach the genuine beneficiary,” the Minister said.

When pointed out that the ration dealers had confirmed that oral instructions were issued to stop supply of rice, Rajender did not give any direct reply. But he said that government has been supplying super fine rice to welfare hostels in the state which cater to the requirements of around 8 lakh children. This apart, 35 lakh students are covered under mid-day meal scheme. Still the government continues to supply 6 kg rice to parents of those families whose children are in the age group of 3-5 years.

He said the TRS government’s strong commitment to give quality rice under Public Distribution System (PDS) can be gauged from the fact that it had earmarked three-times more funds for the scheme. In the undivided Andhra Pradesh, the allocation was just Rs 900 crore but after TRS came to power in Telangana it had allocated Rs 2600-2800 crore. “We have enhanced quota of rice per family and are supplying fine quality rice which is 8 to 12 months old,” he added.