Title: Requests the Central Government to allow the State of Kerala to continue the distribution of sugar through the public distribution system (PDS).
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): Sir, I am raising a very important matter in so far as the State of Kerala is concerned. For a long time, we have a very effective public distribution system. Now the recent decision of the Central Government to denationalise the sugar industry will adversely affect the public distribution system in Kerala. So, I request the Central Government to allow the State to continue the distribution of sugar through the public distribution system because we do not produce sugar in Kerala. It is one of the few States where there is no production of sugar.
So in these circumstances, it is only just and proper that the State of Kerala be allowed to continue the distribution of sugar through fair price shops. I bring this matter to the notice of the Central Government. The Food Minister may take a decision in this regard. The Food Minister from Kerala had also raised the very same issue in the Conference of the Food Ministers’…(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : What do you want the Central Government to do?
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : The Central Government should maintain the status quo in this regard.