Ration Cards issue : UDF walks out of Kerala assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: Accusing the LDF regime of failing to seriously address the issue of alleged anomalies in new ration cards distributed after the implementation of National Food Safety Act, the Congress led UDF on Friday staged a walk out in Kerala assembly.

Highlighting 'lapses' in the preparation of list of priority households which were eligible to receive free food grains and printing of the ration cards, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala referred to inclusion of names of state Forest Minister K Raju and MLA M Noushad in the list.  

Earlier, the UDF sought to raise the issue of anomalies by way of an adjournment motion.   Replying to the notice for the motion, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman admitted that there were mistakes in the preparation of priority list and ration cards, but said all steps were underway to correct the same.  More than 43,000 state government employees had surrendered their non-priority category ration cards voluntarily after an appeal by government in this regard, he said.  

"LDF government is trying its best to implement the act in the true spirit by ensuring that food grains reached the deserving people," he added.   Attacking the government, Chennithala said it had become a routine for the present LDF government to blame the previous UDF for everything.   "You (LDF) have come to power with the slogan that we will set right all problems do it," the Congress leader said.   After the reply of Food Minister, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan disallowed leave for the motion. Dissatisfied with the reply and alleging failure on the part of the government to address the issue seriously, UDF members walkout of the House.