Thiruvananthapuram: The Cabinet on Wednesday will consider the proposal of free distribution of rice to 20 lakh families below the poverty line (BPL), promised by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in his budget recently.
The government would be able to issue the gazette notification and implement the scheme at least before April 1, only if the Cabinet gives its nod to the proposal without delay. If It takes more time, the implementation of the scheme will get delayed by the model code of conduct for the assembly elections.
Under the proposal, 35 kg of free rice would be supplied to the families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) every month while the BPL families would get 25 kg of rice a month.
The additional burden on the State Government will be around Rs 55 crore a year.