Lt Governor Bedi reiterates advantages of DBT system for rice scheme

Expressing concern over what she termed as incorrect information being traded on rice scheme repeatedly, Bedi said in a WhatsApp message that if the government adopted procurement of rice, it would have to spend money from its existing budget to buy rice at a higher price, store in its godowns and release and distribute it.

She said this would mean the government would have to spend money when it does not have funds nor have it provisioned for. This would also lead to a “reversal of the current policy in practice of the Government of India for transfer of money for the rice to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, giving the buyers a choice to buy fresh rice from the market at a time when they want the rice”.

The DBT system of operating the free rice scheme would prevent huge leakages and give the people a choice of time, quality and place of purchase alongside breaking through vested interests with no contractor waiting to be paid for the bills, Bedi added.