After Sonia push,kickstart today for Food Security Act

While the EGoM has been able to identify the type of foodgrains (rice,wheat and other coarse cereals) and the quantum and rate (25 kilos per BPL family with rice at Rs 3 and wheat at Rs 2) to be disbursed under the NFSA Act,it has not been able to agree on the number of BPL families that would avail the benefits. The figures,varying from a minimum of 6.52 crore BPL families to 10.68 crore families,become important as the financial implication in the form of food subsidy will depend on this number.

States have been claiming huge disparities in BPL families covered under the PDS scheme though the Centre has based its figures on Planning Commissions poverty estimates of 6.52 crore families,including the 2.4 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojaya families. However,the actual number of BPL ration cards issued by states and UTs stands at 10.68 crore. According to Food Ministry officials,the annual requirement of foodgrains for 10.68 crore families,at 25 kg per BPL family per month, would stand at 32 million tonnes.

The Friday meeting could also consider modalities for providing food security to beggars,orphans and other destitutes,many of whom are without ration cards. The issue would be whether to limit the proposed Act only to this category in the first phase,or to create a separate welfare arrangement for destitutes. In addition,given the states clamour for higher quota of grains to APL families,the meeting is also likely to consider the Acts provisions for APL families.

The EGoM may also consider whether the government,as a reform measure,can start cash transfer of price differentials for the promised amount of foodgrain in major urban centers across the country,which can later be effectively linked to UID,while leaving the rest of the country under regular PDS network.