States to get 25 lakh tonnes of food grains more on BPL prices

The Centre has decided to release an additional quantity of 25 lakh tonnes of food grains to the states on at BPL price. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers on Food in New Delhi today, the Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar said that the food grains both wheat and rice will be provided to the states for the next six months.

He said that today’s decision is an interim measure pending a final decision on the issue. He said that the government is considering an overhaul of PDS , including the upgrading the number eligible BPL families.

This is expected to lead to the increase in the number of BPL families eligible for assistance and corresponding increase in allocation by central government.

The decision by the EGOM headed by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee comes following the recent direction by the Supreme Court to the Centre to freely supply of food grains to the poor instead of allowing it to rot in FCI godowns.

No related posts.