Bedi ties free rice to sanitation, Oppn slams move

Courting controversy, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today directed authorities to make clean villages, a precondition for distribution of free rice which was strongly objected by Opposition parties.

Giving a backgrounder to her direction, Bedi cited poor sanitation condition in rural Puducherry during her visits and to make a turnaround, she directed linking rice distribution to good sanitation in villages.

DMK Working President M K Stalin, in a tweet, released a copy of her letter to Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in which she apprised him that she has directed the Director of Civil Supplies in this regard.

Bedi, in her communique said to inculcate a sense of responsibiity amongst the local community, "we require to cast a duty upon the local community for maintenance of their localities clean and healthy."
Bedi, in her letter dated today told the Chief Minister that she was writing to him to bring to his attention the poor sanitation condition in the rural pockets of the Union Territory, "which I was a witness to during my 155th week end visit to Mannadipet village."
DMK working president M K Stalin in his tweet opposed Bedi's move saying "Linking free rice distribution to sanitation goes against the principles of social justice and equality."
Stalin further said, "It violates the Constitutional tenets and defeats directive principles regarding nutrition and public health. I urge @thekiranbedi to withdraw this direction immediately."