BJP: Probe into rice supply during congress rule

PUDUCHERRY:  The Puducherry unit of the BJP on Friday demanded the constitution of an inquiry commission to probe into the alleged irregularities in procuring and supplying rice  through Public Distribution system during the previous Congress government headed by V Vaithilingam.Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Puducherry BJP president Damodaran said that while government of India has fixed  Rs 15.69 per kilogram for procuring rice through Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Puducherry government had paid Rs 3.16 per kilogram as incentive to rice millers for the supply of rice.He strongly condemned rice mill owners who reportedly refused to supply the same quality of rice to the present government without incentive.He said that without any necessity, Vaithilingam government had provided incentive to rice mill owners above the price prescribed by the Centre, leading to loss of revenue to exchequer.The Centre’s approval was not obtained for the provision of this incentive, he charged. He alleged that there was an ”incentive deal”, by which the exchequer had incurred a loss of several crores of rupees.