The stock position of food grains in the Central Pool as on 1.12.2011 was 547.19 lakh tons comprising of 270.63 lakh tons of rice and 276.56 lakh tons of wheat. The buffer stocks norms have been maintained for rice and wheat for the entire Central Pool stocks on a quarterly basis.

The current stocks of food grains in the Central Pool are quite adequate to meet the food grain requirements of the country as per existing allocations for TPDS and Other Welfare schemes. The Government has been intensifying procurement operations and more States are encouraged to make decentralized procurement. Government has been reviewing the Minimum Support Price for food grains from time to time to encourage farmers to produce more. As a result, procurement during the last four years has recorded considerable increase from 36.24 million tons in 2006-07 to 62.34 million tons in 2010-11. Further, to augment scientific storage capacities, Government has formulated a Scheme for construction of storage go-downs through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Under the scheme, capacity of about 151 lakh tons is to be created in 19 States through private entrepreneurs and CWC and SWCs. 5.4 and 14.4 lakh tons storage capacities respectively are being constructed by CWC and SWCs under the Scheme. Out of the above, a capacity of about 4 lakh tons has already been completed by CWC/SWCs.

The Government has made allocation of a quantity of 612.07 lakh tons of rice and wheat under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) during the current year, thus making substantial quantity of food grains available through the Public Distribution System at subsidized prices. This includes additional allocation of 50 lakh tons of food grains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at BPL prices in May 2011 and 50 lakh tons to Above Poverty Line (APL) families at APL prices in June 2011. In addition to the above, 23.67 lakh tons of food grains have been allocated at Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) and BPL prices to 27 States for distribution in 174 poorest/backward districts.

This information was given by the Minister of State (independent charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on the 20^th December 2011.

Source: Press Information Bureau Website.

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Antyodaya Scheme is launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on the 25^th of December 2000 (then Atal Bihari Vajpayee). The objective of the scheme would be to create a hunger free India and to bring about positive changes in the Public Distribution System throughout the country.

Utmost priority is given to poorest of poor families both in rural and urban areas of the country. This is the reflection of the Government's struggle to eliminate hunger from the face of it's citizens (it is sad that most of us fail to understand and make use of this scheme in the wrong way). This scheme is for those people who are unable to acquire 2 square meals a day. The number of such families is estimated to be over 5% of the whole country's population.

Those families entitled for this scheme will be provided 35 Kg of Food-grains per month. Food-grains i.e. rice and wheat will be provided by the Government of India at the rate of `3 per Kg. and `2 per Kg. respectively (rates however will be subjected to change as per time).

PDS Gaya understands this and will be trying whatever we can to satisfy our people.

To know more on who are eligible for the scheme, visit back later or visit PDS Gaya official website.

Public Distribution System Gaya, makes most PDS related information available on its site. Today's post is about Antyodaya Scheme's Ration Card with which poorest of poor families can get daily commodities in a really low rate. Below is provided a brief information about the Antyodaya Ration Card.

Issue Of Antyodaya Ration Cards

The designated authority issues the ration cards known as “Antyodaya Ration Card” to the Antyodaya families after identification. Each ration card has necessary details about the Antyodaya family and the scale of ration.

 How and Where to apply?

This scheme is for the poorest of poor families. Therefore, families hence included in this category should apply for the scheme as provided below.

For rural areas. applicants will have to apply on a plain paper with details of every family member and their income to the Panchayat Pradhan of their area. The Gram Sabha will decide whether the family is eligible for the scheme or not. If approved by the Gram Sabha, the family will be further approved by the Department of Rural Development, Bihar (in case of Bihar) and the ration card will be issued by the Pradhan/DFSC or after the approval of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.

For urban areas, applicant will have to apply for the scheme on plain paper to the Notified Area Committee. List of selected families will be further approved by the Urban Development Department and the ration card will be issued by the concerned DFSC/Authorized Inspector of a particular area.

Documents Needed For Application

1. Certificate stating that the application is or was not holding any ration card. Affidavit supporting that the applicant didn't hold any ration card previously must be submitted.

2. Income certificate of the family issued by the concerned Patwari.

No form is needed to be filled nor fees will be charged for the application.

The information is taken from PDS Gaya website, visit the site for more schemes information.

Foodgrains stock in the country with the Government procurement agencies as on 1st July, 2011was 640.06 lakh tonnes comprising 268.57 lakh tonnes of rice and 371.49 tonnes of wheat.

The procurement of rice as on July 1, 2011 (KMS 2010-11) was 316.07 lakh tonnes as against 297.47 lakh tonnes procured last kharif season. Wheat procurement for Ravi Marketing Season 2011-12 was 278.38 lakh tonnes as against 224.72 lakh tonnes procured last in season.

The off take of rice in all schemes, during June, 2011, has been 28.10 lakh tonnes. This comprises 19.04 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 9.06 lakh tonnes under other schemes. The total off take of wheat has been 20.59 lakh tonnes comprising of 14.74 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 5.85 lakh tonnes under other schemes.

The total allotment of rice during June, 2011, under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including BPL (Below Poverty Line), APL (Above Poverty Li ne)and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) was 22.02 lakh tonnes, against which the total offtake was 19.04 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage offtake of 86.5 percent. The BPL allotment of rice was 9.68 lakh tonnes, against which the offtake was 9.65 lakh tonnes, representing percentage off take 99.7 per cent.

In respect of AAY the allotment during the month was 5.75 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.55 lakh tonnes, which represents 99.6 percent off take. The total allotment of wheat under TPDS including BPL, APL and AAY was 19.54 lakh tonnes, against which the total off take was 14.74 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage 75.4 percent off take. The BPL allotment of wheat was 4.85 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.41 lakh tonnes representing an off take of 111.6 per cent. In respect of AAY, the allotment was 2.79 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 2.74 lakh tonnes, which represents 98.1 percent off take.

Source – Press Information Bureau

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