Subsidy on food grains will go up by Rs. 20,000 crores more over the existing Rs. 1 lakh crore if the National Food Security Bill is passed in the Budget Session of Parliament. Food Minister Prof. K V Thomas said the food grain requirement is likely to touch 62 million tonnes as against the present 55 million tonnes.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday, Prof. Thomas said procurement of foodgrains will also go up from the present 25 to 35 per cent of the country's foodgrains production under the provisions of the Food Security Bill.
Prof Thomas said the Food Security Bill will ensure better distribution of the highly subsidised foodgrains besides providing legal entitlement of food and nutritional security to the people.
He said the bill provides for coverage of upto 75 per cent of the rural population. He said about two thirds of the population will be entitled to receive subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution under the Food Security Bill.
Replying to a question, the Minister said the centre will protect the present entitlement of foodgrains even after the implementation of the food security bill.
He said Tamil Nadu has pleaded with the Centre to keep the state out of the purview of the Food Security Bill.
The Minister said that he has asked the states to ensure better storage and effective distribution of foodgrains to the people.