The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved an allocation of 50 lakh tonnes of foodgrains to States/ Union Territories (UTs) during 2013-14 for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This additional allocation of 50 lakh tonnes will remain valid for lifting upto 31st March, 2014 or till the National Food Security Bill is passed by Parliament and implemented in the respective States/UTs. The allocation will meet the additional requirement of foodgrains for BPL families.

The estimated subsidy on additional allocation of 50 lakh tones of foodgrains (rice and wheat) for BPL families in all the States/UTs at BPL prices during 2013-14 will be Rs.9471.22 crore.

Background:

Considering the sufficient availability of stock of foodgrains in the Central Pool and requests received from States/UTs, Government has been allocating additional BPL allocation of 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice to the States/UTs since 2010-11.

The Government of India is allocating foodgrains to the States/UTs under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) for 6.52 crore BPL families which include 2.43 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.

SC/NK/SM

(Release ID :97288)

Foodgrain allocation to BPL families under TPDS extended until National Food Security Bill implementation, with extra state allocations available. An additional allocation of fifty lakh tonnes of foodgrains has been approved for BPL families during 2013-14 under the Targeted Public Distribution System, available for lifting by States/UTs until 31 March 2014 or until the National Food Security Bill is passed and implemented. The allocation supplements prior years' additional BPL supplies in view of adequate Central Pool stocks and addresses requirements for about 6.52 crore BPL families, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana households, at BPL prices.