CCEA approves extra PDS grain for 3 non-NFSA states

The CCEA has approved an additional monthly allocation of 41,800 tonnes of foodgrains for BPL families and 20,507 tonnes of foodgrains to APL families.

New Delhi:

The government today approved extra allocation of 62,307 tonnes of foodgrains to three states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland, that are yet to implement the National Food Security Act.

The foodgrains would be supplied to below poverty line and above poverty line families through ration shops in the three states. Barring these three states, all the states and Union Territories have rolled out the NFSA, under which 5 kg of wheat and rice are supplied to each beneficiary at highly subsidised rates of Rs 2-3 per kg.

"The CCEA has approved an additional monthly allocation of 41,800 tonnes of foodgrains for BPL families and 20,507 tonnes of foodgrains to APL families to three non-NFSA states," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters after the meeting of Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs.

A total 62,307 tonnes of foodgrains will be allocated monthly to three non-NFSA states -- Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland -- for supply to BPL (below poverty line) and APL (above poverty line) families under Public Distribution System (PDS), also called ration shops.

The CCEA has approved allocation of extra foodgrains to these three states from April to June of this year or till implementation of NFSA by the respective State, whichever is earlier, an official statement said.

"Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland are still getting allocation of foodgrains under the erstwhile system of PDS. These states are in the process of implementation of NFSA in the coming months," the statement added.

Poor families will get the ration at BPL rate while APL families at two-thirds of the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat and rice or MSP derived price. Last year, the additional allocation was made to non-NFSA states at BPL and APL rates.

However, the government decided to de-incentivise so that these three states are forced to implement the food law at the earliest. Wheat and rice are priced at Rs 4.15 per kg and Rs 5.65 for BPL families while MSP is fixed at Rs 15.25 for wheat and Rs 14.5 for rice.

NFSA, which came into force in 2013 and was to be implemented by all states by March 2016, aims provide foodgrains at Rs 2-3/kg to two-third population of the country.