Ration blow looming: Smart PDS may take one lakh tonnes from Kerala’s quota

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s grain allocation could fall by nearly one lakh tonnes once the Centre’s Smart Public Distribution System (Smart PDS) is implemented, even as the state has been seeking a larger share from the Centre.
Kerala currently receives 14.25 lakh tonnes of grain. The Centre is now preparing to enforce stricter scrutiny of priority ration cards, which could reduce the quantity allocated to the state.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or yellow-card holders are classified as the poorest households. Kerala has 5.95 lakh such cards, with each card currently entitled to 35 kg of grain a month, regardless of the number of members in the household. The allocation comprises 30 kg of rice and 5 kg of wheat.
Under the Centre’s system, however, the allocation will be linked to the number of members. Each person will be entitled to 5 kg of grain. A one-member household would therefore receive 5 kg, while two- and four-member households would receive 10 kg and 20 kg, respectively.

Yellow- and pink-card holders who repeatedly fail to collect their ration will also be excluded from the free-ration scheme. The Centre has directed Kerala to implement Smart PDS before April 1, with the system initially being introduced in one district. The district has not yet been decided.

The proposed changes come as Kerala is seeking an increase in its grain allocation. During the recent free Onam kit distribution, 12,788 AAY cardholders did not collect the kits.