Aruchal cabinet okays PDS reforms
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITAGAR, April 26: The Aruchal Pradesh cabinet has taken a few key decisions to bring a comprehensive PDS reforms in the state. In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Sunday, it was decided to implement tiol Food Security Act immediately throughout the state, an official communiqué informed here today. As per the Act, 35 kg rice would be allocated to AAY household and the rice would be made available at the rate of Rs 3 per kg per persons to all priority households. For the rest of the households, rice would be available through FPS at prices on a differential scale, to be paid and settled directly by the consumers.
In areas served by the banking channels, options were kept for direct cash transfer model. For this to happen, DCs would be instructed to undertake an exercise and finish it within three months time. All priority household would get roughly Rs 22 per kg per person per month directly in their bank account and they could purchase rice from the market. It was decided to start this model well before December.
For rest of the households located in villages connected with road, cabinet has decided to make the rice available through fair price shops. The whole process would be linked with the computerization from the point of FCI lifting to till the fil sale so as to ensure that no leakages are made at any stage.
The Cabinet further decided to stop transportation by head load system and to opt for air dropping in remote areas.
On HTS and past liabilities, the cabinet decided to deposit part payment up to one third of the decreed amount under protest with the court following a Supreme Court order with a condition that if any fraudulent claims are paid, they would be recovered with pel interest and there would be crimil liability of carriage contractors.
The cabinet also decided to file a writ petition against FCI for reimbursement of genuine HTS claims under the scheme as per the liability of FCI. It was also decided to take up the matter with the Centre for one time resolution at the highest level for clearing the pending liabilities.
The cabinet also decided to clear the pending bills of small and margil contractors and cooperatives, who have completed their work in time genuinely, the communiqué added.
