The CPI(M) has called upon the Puducherry government to ensure uninterrupted distribution of subsidized goods and immediate clearance of rice supplies pending since February 2026.

  • CPI(M) demands consistent supply of subsidized rice, dal, wheat, and oil in Puducherry ration shops.
  • Rice supplies have been pending since February 2026, causing hardship to low-income families.
  • The party opposes the proposed CBDC-based food subsidy model, citing risks to the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has intensified its demands for the Puducherry government to ensure the uninterrupted distribution of subsidized essential commodities through ration shops. In a formal statement, party Puducherry Secretary S. Ramachandran highlighted that the failure to clear pending rice supplies from February 2026 has severely compromised food security for the region's most vulnerable populations.

The struggle for ration accessibility in Puducherry has been long-standing. Following the closure of ration shops in September 2015 and the transition from free rice schemes to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), food security plummeted. It was only after sustained public campaigns and intense protests that the Department of Civil Supplies reopened these shops on October 21, 2024. However, the CPI(M) notes that the promised regular supply of rice, dal, wheat, sugar, rava, and cooking oil has yet to materialize.

Read Also:Delhi Government to Repeal B&B Law and Table Multiple Bills in Monsoon Session

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the volatility in open-market prices—with rice prices fluctuating between ₹10 and ₹35 per kg—is placing an unsustainable financial burden on low-income households. When the state-run distribution mechanism fails, these families are forced into a precarious market position, exacerbating poverty cycles.

The stability of the Public Distribution System is the only shield the poor have against rampant market inflation.

Furthermore, the CPI(M) has raised serious concerns regarding the government's inactive direct paddy procurement scheme. This scheme, intended to supply rice at controlled prices by procuring directly from farmers, remains dormant. The party also pointed out that 14 essential commodities previously announced for distribution have not reached the beneficiaries.

A significant point of contention is the Union Territory's proposed Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based food subsidy programme. The CPI(M) alleges that moving toward a purely digital subsidy model could systematically weaken the physical Public Distribution System (PDS) and eventually lead to the permanent closure of the 500+ recently reopened ration shops.

Historical Background

The history of food distribution in Puducherry has been marked by a shift from physical commodity distribution to digital cash transfers. The 2015 closure of ration shops remains a pivotal moment in the territory's socio-political history, leading to years of advocacy by grassroots organizations to restore physical access to subsidized grains.

Did You Know?: The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is one of the largest social safety nets in the world, catering to hundreds of millions of people.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the core grievance of the CPI(M)?
The core grievance is the irregular supply of essential goods and the significant delay in rice distribution since February 2026.

2. What is the concern regarding the CBDC scheme?
The party fears that a digital currency-based subsidy will dismantle the physical infrastructure of ration shops, making food access harder for the poor.