2010-2011 - Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

12
Price Rise and Public Distribution System
25. Ever since this Government assumed charge, it has
been continuously ensuring that the general public and the middle
class do not get affected by the rise in prices of food items. After
providing rice at two rupees a kilogram in accordance with
electoral promise, further reducing it, this Government is providing
rice at one rupee a kilogram under public distribution system
since 15.9.2008 which is the lowest in the country. Discerning the
rising trend in prices of pulses and cooking oil, this Government
has been providing essential food items like toor dhal, urad dhal
and palm oil at subsidised prices through fair price shops since
May 2007. For this purpose, toor dhal and palm oil are being
imported from abroad as well as procured from other states to
ensure smooth supply of these commodities. Pulses and cooking
oil are being continuously exempted from value added tax.
Moreover, under the scheme of ‘Condiments at affordable prices’,
ten cooking condiments are being provided at Rs.50.
26. It is a matter of great satisfaction that this
Government is providing food items at subsidised rates to all
family card holders under public distribution system through fair
price shops by allocating Rs.4,000 crores in the financial year
2009-2010 which remains unmatched by any other state of India.
In view of declining prices of pulses and sugar, a sum of Rs.3,750
crores has been allocated as food subsidy in this Budget.