State government to demand 2 lakh ton of rice grain from central government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will demand 2 lakh ton of rice from Central Government each month. The move comes after central government had merged the PMGKY with national food security program. This has resulted in low distribution of rice.

Under the PMGKY, the state’s yellow, and pink card owners numbering 1.54 crores will be benefitted. Every month 7,74,002 quintals of grains reach ration shops. Under the food security law, Kerala’s share from the Center is 14.25 lakh tons. Before that it was 16.50 lakh tons.

The state government is arguing that as the ration share is renewed on the basis of population then the share amount is 16.25 lakh tons. Before putting forward this demand, the Food Minister, GR Anil, will meet with the CM. The decisions that come after the meeting will be informed to Union Food Minister through the help of Kerala MPs.