Representational image. File
| Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that the Puducherry government ensure uninterrupted distribution of subsidised essential commodities through ration shops and immediately clear the pending rice supply from February 2026.In a statement, party Puducherry secretary S. Ramachandran said the closure of ration shops from September 2015 and the shift from the free rice scheme to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) had severely affected food security among the poor.Mr. Ramachandran said ration shops were reopened through the Department of Civil Supplies on October 21, 2024, following sustained public campaigns and protests. While welcoming the reopening of the shops, the CPI(M) said that regular supply of subsidised rice, dal, wheat, sugar, rava and cooking oil, as reportedly assured by the Chief Minister, had not materialised.Only the rice allocation for January 2026 was distributed recently, while supplies due from February remain pending. He said the rise in open-market rice prices—between ₹10 and ₹35 per kg had resulted in additional burden on low-income families.The CPI(M) alleged the government’s direct paddy procurement scheme from farmers, intended to supply rice to people at controlled prices, had remained inactive. It also said that the 14 essential commodities earlier announced for distribution through ration shops had not been supplied.Opposing the proposed Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based food subsidy distribution programme of the Union Territory, Mr. Ramachandran alleged that the move could weaken the public distribution system and lead to the eventual closure of ration shops.The Centre has proposed the CBDC scheme in Puducherry, under which food subsidies are credited digitally for use at authorised outlets.The CPI(M) urged the government continue operations through the more than 500 reopened ration shops, provide all essential commodities at subsidised prices, distribute the pending rice immediately and revive direct paddy procurement from farmers.The party urged Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to immediately intervene and take permanent steps to ensure food security of the residents. Published - August 23, 2026 12:41 pm IST
