Rangasamy kickstarts free rice, sugar scheme in Puducherry

The scheme envisages the distribution of 10 kg rice and two kg sugar to each of the 2,72,525 families holding either red colour or yellow colour ration cards. This involved an expenditure of Rs 13.30 crore, a press release said. The families are getting the freebies irrespective of their income status.

Civil Supplies Minister of the Union Territory Sai J Saravana Kumar and secretary to Civil Supplies Udayakumar were also present.

The scheme was to be launched prior to Deepavali, but the finalization of the tenders to procure rice and sugar was delayed. The government has now finalised the tenders and launched the scheme.

The products would be available through Civil Supplies Corporation-run fair price shops or those operated by private licencees.