Alappuzha: The Kerala government has discontinued the practice of distributing two months' ration together to ration card holders. From June onwards, beneficiaries will receive only one month's ration at a time, as was done earlier. The decision comes after distribution problems were reported in several taluks when the April and May quotas were supplied together.

The Central Government had earlier directed states to distribute three months' worth of food grains in advance in view of tensions in West Asia. Citing limited storage capacity at ration shops, Kerala reduced this to a two-month distribution plan. However, the arrangement did not function smoothly.

In several areas, there were delays in supplying enough rice for the two-month quota, while confusion also arose in maintaining records and accounts. These issues are believed to have prompted the Food Department to revert to the monthly distribution system.

In March, the Union Food Ministry had decided to increase grain storage to prevent shortages in the event of disruptions caused by war. States were advised to lift more grain from the warehouses of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and store it in their own facilities.

However, no fresh instructions have been issued by the Centre regarding grain stockpiling, and the FCI is no longer exerting pressure on states to increase storage. This has also contributed to the decision to return to monthly ration distribution.

Extra Rice Allocation for Blue Cards Discontinued

The additional rice quota provided to blue ration card holders has also been withdrawn. Apart from the regular ration allotment, blue card holders had received an extra 2 kg of rice in April and 3 kg in May. From June, only the regular ration entitlement will be distributed.

Blue card holders will continue to receive 4 kg of rice under the normal quota. The distribution of wheat flour will continue. Pink, blue, and white card holders can receive up to four packets of wheat flour, subject to stock availability. Yellow card holders will receive three packets, while residents of welfare institutions covered under special ration cards will receive 1 kg of wheat flour.