Food Bill Size To Increase By Rs 5,000 Crore

[Sidhu...Sidhaarth Roy]

NEW DELHI: Government will take additional burden of about Rs 5,000 crore in order to ensure the few states get additional foodgrain over and above what has been proposed in the food ordinance at the current above poverty line (APL) rates. The proposal was cleared by the Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) on Thursday.

Confirming this food minister KV Thomas said that this will take care of the concerns of 18 states. Sources said that the total allocation of would also increase by 31.3 lakh tonnes annually on this account. They added that the extra allocation to states will go at Rs 8.30 per kg for rice and Rs 6.10 per kg for wheat from the Centre.

"The amendment to safeguard the present withdrawal of food grains by states from the Central pool for public distribution system (PDS) has already been moved. Since it will cost to the government, the matter was taken up in the Cabinet," said a source.

Top officials said that in case the food bill does not go through in the Parliament this session, government will promulgate the ordinance again with fresh amendments. "With the fresh inclusions the ordinance will be better one," one of them said.

This will bring huge relief to the states including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala. As per the earlier provision these states stood to lose grains under the current ordinance.

The amendment proposed by food minister KV Thomas states if (the) annual allocation of food grains to any state under the act is less than the average annual off take of foodgrain for (the) last three years under normal (the) targeted public distribution system, the same will be protected at prices as many be determined by the central government.

[PMREDDY19]

Pedtaaru.. Desam lo Asalu Dabbulu lekundaney..

Fodo pandinchey vaadiki dikku ledhu .. inka . Govt free gaa andariki food istada,,
chass bokkkalo natakaalu veelu..

[paampachak]

[sub]Naaku ippudu pedda doubt vastondi ... desam lo prajale gorrelu anukunna paalakulu gorre ki baabu la unnaru[/sub]

[George_Brahmi_III]

Dollar inkonchem gattiga denguddi rupee ni ippudu. MMS u rock.