Rs 50 cr allotted for subsidised provisions, says Minister

Under the scheme, the state plans to distribute 10 lakh packs comprising 19 provision items. Each pack would cost around Rs 600 in the open market and the state had fixed a price of Rs 500 and will include half a kilo of tur dhal, urud dhal and Bengal gram each. One kilo of salt, 250 grams of garlic, 100 grams of pepper and turmeric will also be in the subsidised pack, the Minister said.

The distribution of these packs has already started in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and other cities and had received an overwhelming response from the public, the Minister added.

Meanwhile, DMK president MK Stalin on Tuesday urged the ruling party to avoid exploiting Amma canteens for political reasons. Criticising the government for handing over Amma canteens allegedly to ruling party members in many parts of the state, Stalin described it as unacceptable and said, “I am not interested is discussing about it now. The government should give free food to all who visit Amma canteens.” The DMK president also urged the government to waive Electricity bill of all the rice card (family card) holders.