THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food Minister G R Anil said that the state government spends 912 crore rupees a year for the distribution of ration, and complained that the central government is allocating only a paltry 86 crore rupees. The state spends Rs 336 crore on foodgrain prices, Rs 324 crore on trader's commission and Rs 252 crore on transport costs, godown rent, staff salaries and other ancillary expenses.

“The central rate for merchant commission is Rs 107 per quintal. The Center gives only 50% (Rs. 53.50) of this. The total cost is Rs 230 per quintal. 176.50 rupees is borne by the state,” the Minister said in a press conference.

Only 10.25 lakh tonnes of food grains to be distributed to 41 lakh priority cardholders are getting central assistance. The cost of distributing 4 lakh tonnes of food to 53 lakh non-priority cardholders is borne by the state government. The rate fixed by the Center for Transportation and handling charges for door-step delivery of a quintal of foodgrains to ration shops is Rs.65. 50% (Rs. 32.50) of this will be sanctioned by the Centre.

The total cost of this in the state is Rs 145 per quintal. The remaining amount of Rs.112.50 is borne by the state government. The minister accused some organizations of going on strike even though it was announced during the discussion that the dues of the transport contractors would be paid on Tuesday. The strike was called off when the money was paid on Tuesday.