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Tamil Nadu
By Our Special Correspondent
Participating in a discussion in the Assembly on a special calling attention motion, she said the administration set out clearly even in the beginning that cardholders, whose monthly income was Rs. 5,000 and more, could get the `H' seal affixed on their cards in the respective offices. ``It was purely a voluntary exercise. There was no force or compulsion involved'', she said, disputing the contention by some MLAs. Dismissing the Opposition observation that officials visited homes of the cardholders in some areas to put the seal, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, P. Mohan, said it was affixed only in the designated offices. Ms Jayalalithaa said that at the end of the extended October 31 deadline, 18 lakh cards were affixed with the `H' seal. ``Hereafter, no more `H' cards will be issued''. When E.V. Velu (DMK) argued that fixing the ceiling at Rs. 5,000 would hit even weaker sections, including conservancy workers and masons, the Chief Minister said such a generalisation was not correct. Moreover, the poor would continue to get essential commodities under the PDS. Brushing aside the CPI member, V. Sivapunniyam's contention that there was an apprehension that the PDS would gradually be abolished, Ms. Jayalalithaa said there need be no such fear. When Balabharathi (CPI-M) alleged that the changes in the card system were made at World Bank instance, the Chief Minister wondered if that were so, why should her Government give rice at Rs. 3.50 a kg. In the Left-ruled West Bengal, the price was Rs. 6 for people belonging to below poverty line (BPL) and Rs. 9 for those above poverty line (APL). ``Is the West Bengal Government acting under the pressure of the World Bank'', Ms. Jayalalithaa asked. Explaining the rationale behind the recent decision, she said the State had a total of about 1.6 crore cardholders. Many had not been drawing provisions from the fair price shops or they let their maid servants buy the essential commodities. For them, the ration cards served the purpose of identity cards. That was why the Government decided to introduce the `H' card system. Though rice was being supplied to the cardholders at Rs. 3.50 a kg, the Centre was providing rice to the State Government at Rs. 5.65 a kg for BPL and Rs. 8.15 for APL. The Government, thus, had to incur a subsidy burden of Rs. 800 crores every year. ``If the DMK, which is sharing power at the Centre, can get rice for Tamil Nadu at Rs. 3.50 or 2 a kg, we will have no problem supplying it to the people at that rate''. Mr Mohan said about 22,000 officials were employed all over the State for renewal of the ration cards and nearly 11,000 centres set up. The officials were on duty even on Saturdays and Sundays. The last date for renewal of the cards was November 30. The Chief Minister said that at the time of applying for renewal, the cardholders had to fill up self-declaration forms, stating their monthly income was less than Rs. 5,000. C. Gnanasekaran (Congress) wanted the income ceiling for the `H' cards raised to Rs. 7,500, while G.K.Mani (PMK) urged the Government to supply the subsidised rice to all sections, irrespective of their income. To a query by G. Palanichamy (CPI) whether government employees, who were now having `H' cards, would be allowed to get the essential commodities from fair price shops on their retirement if their income was less than Rs. 5,000, the Food Minister said if they applied afresh for the ration cards, their case would be considered.
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