UDF, LDF clash over ration subsidy issue

Question hour in the Assembly on Thursday saw the UDF and LDF crossing swords over the government decision to disburse ration subsidy through banks and the alleged destruction of foodgrains in the FCI godown in Thrissur district.

Opposition members rose in protest against the decision to provide the subsidy through banks alleging that it lacked clarity.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob replied that the initiative was aimed at ensuring that Rs 700 crores spent annually on  subsidy reached the people.

 But the details were only being worked out and the project will be implemented only after discussions with all stakeholders and the Opposition, they said. CPM’s Kodiyeri Balakrishnan maintained that the government decision lacked clarity.

The Question Hour also witnessed a furore over the alleged destruction of “1,500 metric tonnes’’ of foodgrains at the FCI godown. To this, Chandy said that only 1.984 metric tonnes were destroyed and that those levelling the charge had missed the decimal point.

 Anoop Jacob said that the said quantity was destroyed as per norms as they were damaged in transit and thus unfit for human consumption.

Nineteen metric tonnes were destroyed for the same reason in 2009-2010, and 68 metric tonnes in 2010-2011, he said.

 Chandy said that if the Opposition was not satisfied with the official report on the incident, the government was prepared to ask the Centre for further investigation.