Pondy DMK women’s wing protest against L-G

The women shouted slogans against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, who ordered the provision of cash instead of rice.

MLA R Siva, DMK (south) convener, who was leading the agitation said that the Lt Governor ordered provision of cash instead of rice, alleging corruption in the supply of rice. In such a case, she is free to initiate action against the corrupt, but putting the poor people to hardship is not acceptable, he added. Siva said with cash remittance to the bank account of the beneficiaries, the very purpose is not served since, the banks used to deduct the cash for other loans obtained by the people.

Siva said as many as 444 ration shops were closed here and nothing is being supplied through the ration shops. Pointing out that free rice is being supplied in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Siva wondered why the poor people of Puducherry are not being provided with free rice.“Chief Minister V Narayanasamy announced Rs 1,000 to ration card holders as ‘Pongal Gift,’ but the Lt Governor blocked it and remitted Rs 170 into the bank account of the ration cards holders. This need to be condemned strongly,” he added.