T’puram: Food and civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob urged Centre to withdraw its plan to reduce ration allocations through the proposed amendment to the Food Security Act in connection with Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme.Jacob said that since the issue directly affects 5,94,448 families, the existing system should continue. Any reduction in free foodgrain for families with fewer than five members would be harmful to states like Kerala, where small nuclear families are common, he added.“If the amendment is implemented, a two-member family that currently receives 35 kg of rice would get only 14 kg in the future. Even families with more than five members would continue to receive a maximum of only 35 kg. Kerala had taken the position in 2013 as well that the AAY card holders deserve special consideration, and it maintains the same stand now. As a consumer state, any cut in Kerala’s allocation is a matter of concern,” Jacob said.The state will convey its view once it receives Centre’s communication, he added.There are 18,33,360 AAY beneficiaries — yellow ration card holders classified as ‘poorest of the poor’ — in the state.The Union department of food and public distribution has invited public comments and suggestions on the draft bill until July 13.Applications for priority ration cards:The commissioner of public distribution and consumer affairs announced that applications for priority ration cards can be submitted starting Saturday.Families holding general category ration cards (white and blue) that do not fall under the exclusion criteria may apply online to have their cards reclassified to the PHH category (pink card) till July 17.Eligible cardholders must apply online along with the required documents either through Akshaya centres or via the citizen login portal (ecitizen.civilsupplieskerala.gov.in).
