Posted on: 07 Nov 2012, 03:47 PM
WB: Direct subsidy transfer put on hold
Kolkata: The Central Government’s decision to transfer the amount of ration subsidy directly to the bank accounts of intended beneficiaries has been put on hold. West Bengal Food and Supply Minister Jyotipriya Mallick earlier had expressed disagreement with the Central Government over the proposed scheme.
Mallick said that the Central Government is assuming ‘Aadhar card’ as the criteria for public distribution system but the fact is that the thousands of families in Bengal do not have the multi-purpose card.
The minister said that if the scheme is implemented, majority of the BPL families will not be able to get the benefit under PDS.
The state government also believes that some of the BPL families may misuse the money if it is directly transferred to their bank accounts. The minster also said that if the scheme is implemented, nearly 10,000 employees covered under PDS will become unemployed.
Mallick also said that after the implementation of proposed scheme, the PDS employees will have no other work rather than to check that if subsidy money has been transferred into the bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries.
There are many loopholes in this proposed scheme, added the minister.
Mallick said that the Central Government is assuming ‘Aadhar card’ as the criteria for public distribution system but the fact is that the thousands of families in Bengal do not have the multi-purpose card.
The minister said that if the scheme is implemented, majority of the BPL families will not be able to get the benefit under PDS.
The state government also believes that some of the BPL families may misuse the money if it is directly transferred to their bank accounts. The minster also said that if the scheme is implemented, nearly 10,000 employees covered under PDS will become unemployed.
Mallick also said that after the implementation of proposed scheme, the PDS employees will have no other work rather than to check that if subsidy money has been transferred into the bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries.
There are many loopholes in this proposed scheme, added the minister.
(JPN/Bureau)