RICE AT Rs 2 A KG SCHEME RESTORED

Rice at Rs 2 a kg scheme restored

        The Election Commission Saturday lifted the ban on implementation of the Kerala government's new scheme to provide rice at Rs 2 a kg to consumers belonging to both BPL and APL categories. The Election Commission said since polling in the state was over, the ban was being lifted and the government could continue to implement the new scheme. The EC ban on the government decision to extend the scheme to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category just days before the announcement of polling date had stirred up a controversy after Congress opposed its implementation, saying it violated the model code of conduct. Till then, the scheme had only been applicable to families belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. Both CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF had made it a campaign issue with the former arguing that UDF torpedoed the scheme, while the latter accused the LDF of politicising it.

         The UDF in its poll manifesto also promised rice at Rs one a kg for BPL consumers. The EC then banned the fresh scheme, which was yet to be implemented. But LDF secured a verdict in its favour from the Kerala High Court, which the EC contested in the Supreme Court. The apex court had accepted the EC's contention and stayed the verdict. The government's scheme provides for distribution of rice at Rs two a kg for APL customers having an annual income limit of Rs 25,000 and those having less than two acres of land. ( Manorama)

                                                Prof. John Kurakar