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.

For more visit PDS Gaya's website.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof. K.V Thomas has said that the Government is committed to enactment of the National Food Security Act to provide a statutory framework for assured food security to all. Addressing the Inaugural Session of a seminar organized by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) here today (12^th October 2011), the Minister said that the proposed legislation would be a paradigm shift in approach towards food security - from welfare based to rights based approach, involving legal obligation on the Government to deliver food entitlements. It will be a comprehensive effort, adopting a life-cycle approach, in providing food and nutritional security to people, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups (For example, people belonging to Below Poverty Line).

Highlighting the priority of the Government to provide food security to all, Prof. Thomas said that the draft Bill proposes to provide right to receive food grains at subsidized prices under the Targeted Public Distribution System by persons belonging to priority households and general households. It proposes coverage of up to 75% of the total rural population, with at least 46% population belonging to priority households and up to 50% of the total urban population, with at least 28% population belonging to priority households. Each person in priority households would be entitled to 7 kg food grains per month at a price of not exceeding `3 `2 or `1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains and 3 kg per person per month at a price of not exceeding 50% of the minimum support price for wheat and coarse grains and derived minimum support price for rice in general households.

The Food Minister said that the Bill also contains provisions for Nutritional support to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children, entitlements of special groups such as destitute persons, homeless and such other needy persons, emergency and disaster affected persons, persons living in starvation, etc.

He said, “The Central Govt. has held wide ranging consultations with various stakeholders, including State Governments and UT Administrations regarding the proposed Food Security legislation. Based on these consultations and comments/recommendations received, we have recently prepared a draft National Food Security Bill and the same has been placed on the website of the Ministry for comments/suggestions. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the Parliament shortly after taking into account the comments received from stakeholders and after appropriate consultations.”

Prof. Thomas said that implementation of the legislation which will place a major demand on agricultural production and related infrastructure is no doubt, going to be a challenging task. It would involve enhanced production of food grains, higher procurement, creation of additional storage facilities, rail-road infrastructure for movement of food grains and a streamlined distribution network. Based on the provisions of the draft Bill, the requirement of food grains for TPDS, Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) and natural calamities is estimated at about 61 million tons.

In order to cover a large section of rural as well as urban population, as envisaged in the proposed National Food Security Act, it is necessary to have sufficient stocks of food grains in the Central Pool for distribution. To meet the increased requirement of food grains, R&D efforts need to be intensified to ensure better yield from the available agricultural land. Development of modern farming technologies, high-yield varieties of seeds, efficient irrigation techniques are required to attain higher food grain production. The minister expressed confidence that Institutions like ICAR and IRRI are quite capable in meeting the challenges of research and development in the field of agriculture to ensure sustained implementation of the proposed legislation.

Government, NGOs, Research Institutions and other stakeholders must work together to make this momentous legislation a success so that the intended benefits reach the targeted beneficiaries, the minister added.

This is according to a news release available on the Press Information Bureau website. For more information related to Public Distribution System, visit PDS Gaya Website at www.pdsonline.in

Below Poverty Line or BPL Ration card is issued to families who has monthly per capita income of less than `432.9. According to BPL scheme, families Below Poverty Line are allocated foodgrains and other commodities under subsidized rates. This is an attempt by the government to alleviate poverty from the country. In other words families who are earning daily basis but are under the Line of Poverty as per the Government are issued this card with which they can draw commodities from FPS of the PublicDistribution System. According to PDS Gaya, each BPL family is alloted 35 Kg of wheat and rice at the rate of `4.50 and `6.02 per Kg respectively.

Requirements For Issue Of BPL Cards

1. Application form duly attested by Village head or Sarpanch in case of rural areas and Area Councilor in case of urban areas.
2. Two passport size group family photographs
3. A duly specified affidavit specifying family and members' details
4. The applicant should not be in possession of colored television, scooter or refrigerator and
5. The family's monthly per capita income should be less than `432.9

For more detailed information on how to apply for BPL Ration card, what is needed and whom to approach, you may visit PDSGaya website.