Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

VS asks Chandy to clarify demand for tax cut on rice

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said he is unaware of the background of Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy’s demand for the withdrawal of one per cent tax on rice.

At a post-Cabinet press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Achuthanandan wanted Mr. Chandy to clarify for whom he made such a demand. The tax cut was demanded all of a sudden. When the United Democratic Front (UDF) was in power it did not do so. He said the government had made arrangements to distribute boiled and raw rice through the Supplyco and Cooperative Department outlets at Rs.14 and Rs.13 a kg respectively. In addition to this, above the poverty line and below the poverty line categories were being provided rice at Rs.9 and Rs.3 a kg respectively.

He said the Opposition had betrayed the people by refusing to openly oppose the Centre’s decision to reduce the State’s rice quota under the public distribution system (PDS). The State’s quota of 1,11,000 tonnes for distribution through the PDS had been reduced to 26,000 tonnes.

He himself had lobbied with the Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar who had come forward to allot an additional 10,000 tonnes for Christmas.

Besides, the price of rice in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and other States were ruling at Rs.22 a kg. The State could not entirely be blamed for the situation and the Central policies had contributed to it, he said.

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