THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Defence Minister A K Antony, who launched the UDF Government’s ambitious ‘rice at Re 1 per kilo scheme’ on Saturday said that “even when there is rapid growth in many areas, it is also characteristic of the nation that there are parallel-running ‘two Keralas’ wherein one is experiencing rapid growth and the other is being left behind representing the utterly poor and dejected lot,” he said.“Only a pledge to fight against corruption can bridge the difference,” he said.Whether at the Centre or in the states, programmes for exponential growth and betterment of lives of the masses have to be linked with addressing the basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter, medical aid, education and potable drinking water, he said.The poor sections of society should gain faith in ‘India Shining’ and benefit from the growth in industry, science and agriculture, Antony said.Lauding the Oommen Chandy Government for launching a programme like the rice scheme within 100 days of being in power, Antony noted that it was promised even before the Centre introduced the National Food Security Mission, which is expected to be launched this year.“It is the best gift that a people’s government can give to its people during the Onam season,” he said.Right to Services Act soonThe state government would soon enact the Right to Services Act, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said at the function. “The government is keen on providing services to the people within a stipulated time. Once the Act is launched, laminated ration cards would be provided on the same day of application on the basis of an affidavit,” he said.“When the government took over, the number of pending applications for ration cards was around three lakhs. Later, two lakh applied for ration card. The cards have been issued to all of them,” he said. He appreciated the role played by state Food and Civil Supplies Ministry in spearheading both the rice distribution scheme and ration cards’ distribution."The cost of essential commodities will be monitored not only during festival season, but also throughout the year while ensuring that the people are getting products at subsidised rates from various government outlets,” he said. “There need not be any apprehension of price rise during the Onam season or thereafter,” he said.Presiding over the function, Food and Civil Supplies Minister T M Jacob said the list of BPL and APL families was going to be published in respective ration shops across the state.“The number of BPL beneficiaries will go up from 21 lakh to 33 lakh soon,” he said.
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