Nashik: The district supply department has decided to provide cash subsidy directly to the beneficiaries under Public Distribution System (PDS) instead of providing food grains through the Fair Price Shop (FPS).The district supply office is currently evaluating the response from the beneficiaries. The pilot project of choice-based direct benefit transfer has been initiated in Thane and the department is also asking the beneficiaries across the district if they would choose to get the cash directly in their account instead of the food grain.The government adopted a resolution on August 21, 2018 offering the beneficiaries to choose the mode of subsidy they would like — in cash or in kind. If they choose the latter option they would continue to get food grains and they will be able to buy it from the FPS by providing biometric impression.“The government is of the view that if beneficiaries were ready for the direct benefit transfer in cash, it would directly transfer the funds to their accounts in the name of a woman as the head of the family and the beneficiaries could buy the products from open market. We are now asking the beneficiaries about their choice,” a senior official from the district supply office said.In case the beneficiaries choose the cash option, they will get the subsidy amount in their account. According to the government, the system of storing and transportation of food grains is very costly. By eliminating the cost of transportation and other overheads, the government will be saving enormously on the unnecessary expenditure.“In fact, the subsidy amount will be governed by a formula with which the effective buying price of the grains will remain the same that people the FPS while buying the grains. The beneficiaries will thus be able to buy stuff from the shops at their will instead of depending upon the government supply,” the official added.The FPS shopkeepers have, however, opposed the move. District unit president of the association Nivrutti Kapse said the decision was against the interest of the people and the FPS shopkeepers.“Till now we have been serving the government to ensure that the last man gets the food grains. Now, the government does not seem to be worried about our survival. We appeal to the government to drop this project,” Kapse said.

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