The Centre today told the Supreme Court that it has no intention of having any confrontation with it on the issue of distribution of foodgrains to the poor in the country. Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran submittedto a bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma that wrong reports were appearing in a section of the press giving an impression that the government wants to have a confrontation with the judiciary on the issue. The apex court, while taking on record the affidavit, said it was very happy at the comprehensive reply filed by the government in pursuance of its earlier direction for supply of foodgrains at low cost or at no cost. However, the government affidavit is silent on the apex court's direction for free distribution of food grains to the poor instead of allowing it to rot. Mr Prasaran told the apex court that pursuant to its earlier direction, the Centre has decided to allocate 25 lakh additional tons of foodgrains to states and Union Territories for distribution at BPL prices. In a related development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtoday gently told the Supreme Court not to get into the realm of policy formulation. Interacting with editors at his residence, he said, how can foodgrains be distributed free to an estimated 37 per cent of the population which lives below the poverty line. Dr Singh was answering a question on the order of the the apex court which had directed Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to distribute foodgrains to the poor instead of allowing them to rot. The Prime Minister said he had not not seen the final judgement of the court but he respected the sentiments behind the decision that a way should be found to ensure that at a time when when foodgrains are rotting the needs of the people should be met. Dr Singh added that making food available free woulddestroy incentives to farmers to produce more.