Puducherry: Former Union Minister of State and senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy on Saturday alleged "malpractices" in the implementation of free rice scheme by the AINRC Government and demanded a CBI probe. Inaugurating a demonstration by party workers condemning the government's "failure" to measure up to the people's expectations in the last three-and-half years, he said the "malpractices" caused a "seious" drain on the exchequer.
He claimed the government was purchasing rice for the scheme at Rs 31 per kg although it could have been procured at Rs 22 per kg. "Why should the government pay Rs 9 extra for a kilo?" he asked and alleged that political bigwigs in the ruling AINRC were getting kickbacks in finalising the suppliers of rice. The norms governing the tender system were also flouted and merchants close to ruling AINRC shown favouritism in granting permission to supply the rice, he charged.
He demanded a CBI probe into the modalities of the scheme under which ration card holders get 10 kg of rice free of cost. He also said that power tariff had been revised "exhorbitantly" while promises extended to fishermen during the elections had not been ulfilled. He accused the Chief Minister of keeping quiet without approaching the Tamil Nadu Government to ensure availability of six tmc feet of water in the Cauvery system for Karaikal region.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly V Vaithilingam was among those who addressed the demonstrators.
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