Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian has said that the Union government provides 1,18,754 tonnes of foodgrain to Kerala every month.
This includes 69,831 tonnes of rice and 15,629 tonnes of wheat under the National Food Security Act.
Addressing the media in Kochi on Tuesday, Mr. Kurian added that in addition to the regular monthly allotment, the Centre has also accorded permission to supply six months’ quantity of rice in advance and free of cost during special occasions such as Onam.
Referring to the public distribution system (PDS) in Kerala, the Union Minister asserted that all the rice distributed through ration shops in the State is ‘Modi rice’. “There is not a single grain of rice being distributed through the PDS that is funded or supplied by the Pinarayi Vijayan-led State government,” he said.
The Minister was responding to criticisms by the Chief Minister who accused the Centre of weakening the PDS in the State.
He also claimed that all developmental and welfare initiatives currently under way in the State are either fully or partially funded by the Union government. “This support is not an act of charity, but the right of the people. This is why we never use these schemes to solicit votes,” Mr. Kurian added.
Published – August 26, 2025 10:40 pm IST
