Union Food and Public Distribution Minister K V Thomas said a massive modernisation programme will be taken up under the National Food Grain Movement Plan. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad today, he said measures are being taken to ensure that benefits of about 63 thousand Crore rupees food subsidies percolate to the common man. He also said, increasing food storage space will be focused under the plan based on the estimates of up to the year 2040. Mr Thomas further said about 2 crore ration cards including the bogus ones will be weeded out as part of the modernisation of the Public Distribution System. At present there are 20 crore ration cards throughout the country. The Minister asked the state Governments to take steps to pay farmers Minimum Support Price either on-line or through Bank Check to avoid cuts. The Minister also said, the issues relating to Food Security, lapses in the Present PDS and corrective measures will be extensively discussed during the conference of state Civil Supplies and Finance Ministers to be held on 8th and 9th of this month in Delhi