Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi during a visit to Karaikal to review the drinking water system. more-in The delays in the provision of free rice to ration card holders will be eliminated once the quality of the stocks improve, Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi said on Saturday. Ms. Bedi, who was on a visit to Karaikal, assured farmers in response to several petitions about the non-supply of PDS rice for months. Ms. Bedi, who was accompanied by District Collector R. Kesavan, pointed out that while the government had earmarked ?120 crore for the free rice scheme, its rollout was also delayed by the tender process. The scheme was further held up in some places, as the first PDS rice consignments were found to be of poor quality. According to the Lt. Governor, she had directed the contractor to ensure good quality of rice and once the new stocks would arrive, the scheme would run without a hitch. Interaction with farmers Farmers raised various concerns, including the lack of access to Cauvery water, implementation of a crop insurance scheme and job guarantees under MGNREGA. Ms. Bedi had scheduled an interaction with the farmers to listen to their grievances after undertaking a review of the drinking water system in feeder channels and the water harvesting measures in the industries. On Sunday, the Lt. Governor took out a cycle rally through villages in the Ariyankuppam Commune, as part of the ‘Mission Puducherry Water Rich’ initiative. Ms. Bedi, who was joined by District Collector Abhijit Chaudary Vijay, toured Thavalakuppam, Poornankuppam, Pudhukuppam, Nallavadu and Thanampalayam villages. According to a press note from Raj Nivas, the rural pockets were found wanting in sanitation. Infrastructure created with public funds — community toilets or cold storage facilities for fisherfolk — were found lying idle. The practice of open defecation continued to exist among communities. The Ariyankuppam Commune comprises 22 villages with a population of about 80,000. CSR support Ms. Bedi noted that for effective delivery of services to these villages, spread over 25 sq. km., the Commune Panchayat had to seek CSR support of resorts, traders industries and hospitals in the area. The Raj Nivas would help them forge partnerships. The supervisory cadre was advised to undertake village visits to assess problems and work out solutions. Earlier, the Lt. Governor and the Collector also participated in an eye donation awareness campaign of Aravind Eye Hospital.

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