Thiruvananthapuram: The centre has withheld the monthly APL rice allotment following the failure of the state government to implement the Food Security Act. The decision would have a direct impact on the rice distribution to APL card-holders. The state has given a commitment to implement the Act from November 1. The union food and civil supplies ministry had issued an order on October 7 ordering to stop the distribution of rice given for Rs 8.90 per kilo to APL families. From now onwards, the APL card owners would have to buy the rice for Rs 22.64 per kilo.
The centre had earlier come down heavily on the state for not implementing the Act even after repeated reminders. The union ministry of food and agriculture had insisted that the state should implement the Act from November 1 though the state government had sought time till April. Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman told reporters that they had taken steps to overcome the crisis. The Act will be implemented from November 1 as per the directive of the centre. The cards would be stamped either priority or non-priority. But the state will not discontinue the ration facility, he said.
