Hyderabad: The state govt is faced with the challenge of supplying the three-month quota of fine rice to over 90 lakh ration card holders in June. This comes after the Centre has directed all the states to release three months of free ration (June, July, and August) at one time in June under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The reasons cited in the Centre’s directive include potential rainy season-related transport problems due to floods, to ensure that the poor do not face any inconvenience, among others. However, sources said another reason could be that the godowns of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have excessive stocks, and the move is aimed at creating space for paddy and wheat stocks of the current rainy season that would start coming soon. This is not the first time that this bulk release of ration is being permitted. During COVID-19, similar measures were taken to release two months’ ration at a time, reducing logistical hassles and providing continuous access to food during mobility restrictions. Though cases of coronavirus are being reported from some parts of the country, officials said the situation is not alarming, and this could not be the reason for the Centre’s directive.Usually, such steps are taken in times of health or national emergencies, and neither of them seems to be the cause for the Centre’s directive now, said sources.Officials of the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation said they have sufficient stocks of fine rice, procured during the last Kharif and Rabi seasons. “We will be able to supply nearly 6 lakh metric tonnes of fine rice, which is a three-month quota, to all the ration card holders in the state in June. However, the distribution will continue month-long and may also continue beyond June to ensure every cardholder gets the three-month quota,” said an official, adding that such a move could be implemented once or twice but not regularly. Civil supplies commissioner DS Chauhan has issued orders to ensure that the directive is implemented and the ration card holders are provided with fine rice from June 1 to June 30.
