Free rice scheme: Bedi insists on cash transfer to

As the stalemate over mode of implementation of free rice scheme in Puducherry continued, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Wednesday insisted on direct transfer of cash equivalent to quantum of rice, saying the beneficiaries would stand to gain from it.

In a whatsapp message, Bedi, who had been adhering to her stand that only cash should be paid instead of distributing rice to the BPL and APL families under the scheme also said, "by direct transfer of money lakhs of people will get Rs 160 crore directly into their bank accounts."