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Title: Request to take adequate measures for continuing the public distribution system and also distribute food items through ration shops in Kerala.
(CHIRAYINKIL): I would like to raise a very important issue regarding the public distribution system in the State of Kerala. In Kerala State there is statutory rationing. This was introduced four decades back and being continued till date. The Central Government has an obligation by a covenant to supply sufficient food-stocks for supply through ration shops. But, the present decision of the Central Government to do away with the supply of food-stocks will definitely adversely affect the public distribution system in our State.
Moreover, the arrangement to be made with the Food Corporation of India which is procuring food-stocks for distribution through ration shops will be asked to discontinue the practice. So, the present position is that the public distribution system would be hampered and this will create a very difficult situation for the people of the State.
I would, therefore, request the Central Government to take adequate measures for continuing the public distribution system and also distribution of food-stocks through ration shops. This is a very important issue. This had been agreed to by the Government some forty years back and this agreement will have to continue to be implemented.