Kiran Bedi rules no-free-rice in Puducherry till villages are garbage-free
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi announced on Saturday that no free rice will be distributed in the Union Territory till villages are not free of open-defecation and garbage. The free rice distribution scheme benefited more than half of the population in Puducherry. A deadline of four weeks is given to concerned village authorities to show their villages were clean and sans garbage.
Rice supplies to be kept in safe storage
As per the new diktat, the rice supplies will be kept on hold and in safe storage. "All constituencies are given four weeks notice to clean up their respective areas to be entitled to the free rice. The notice period ends on May 31st," Kiran Bedi's statement read. To ensure its veracity, the certification will be cross-checked by higher authorities.
Upset with slow pace of sanitation, says Kiran Bedi
"I am very anguished at the slow pace of rural sanitation. Last two years, I have not seen local representatives and concerned public officials determined to make rural Puducherry clean within a time frame. I am sorry this cannot go on," said Kiran Bedi.
