Besides that, the BPL card holders would get their rice through RSVY Smart Card. These steps were to ensure that the government subsidy reached the people in total, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a special Cabinet meeting.
The state government was extending a Rs 350 crore per year each to BPL and APL categories towards subsidy for the distribution of rice and even after this, the open market price of rice was increasing, he said.
The step was also part of initiatives of the government to check price raise of essential commodities, he added.
With regard to market intervention, the government would take steps to put a check on rising cost of rice in the open market. As per the current rates, BPL families would continue to receive 25 kg rice at Rupee one per kg and will be provided with RSVY Smart Card to enter the details of their purchases.
On the other hand, the APL consumers would continue to get 10 kg of rice at Rs 8.90 per kg. As regards the nine kg rice provided at a subsidised rate of Rs 6.90 per kg, the subsidy would be credited to the APL consumer's bank account, he said.
Currently, 65,000 tonnes of rice is required for the mid-day meal scheme in government schools and the remaining rice will have to be collected from the mills through civil supplies corporation and should reach the public distribution system, he said.
