Govt unclear on implementing food scheme
Saturday, 27/07/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130727/punjab.htm#5
Chandigarh : Punjab is unclear on how the National Food Security Ordinance is to be implemented across the state.The state is already successfully running its atta-dal scheme. It is not sure if the Centre's scheme will be in sync with its own scheme.
A meeting under the Food and Civil Supplies Minister was held here today to discus modalities to implement the Centre's food scheme. There were deliberations on how the two schemes could be run alongside.
Since the Centre has reportedly not sent guidelines for rolling out the food scheme, the state government is unclear on the disbursal of money for implementing the scheme.
Under the national food security programme, 5 kg of wheat is to be provided to each beneficiary at Rs 2 per kg. Under the state's atta-dal scheme, 5 kg of wheat per person (a maximum of 25 kg for a family) is being provided at Rs 4 a kg besides 500 gm of pulses per person (a maximum of 2.5 kg per family) for Rs 20 a kg.
While the number of beneficiaries (with an income of less than Rs 30,000 per annum) under the state scheme stands at 15.40 lakh, state estimates show that the number of beneficiaries under the Centre's programme will swell to 1.82 crore. Officials say the issue of how the two schemes can be run simultaneously and the payment modalities will have to be worked out with the Union Food Ministry. Punjab spends Rs 20 crore per month on the atta-dal scheme.
It distributes 27,000 tonnes of wheat and 3,100 tones of pulses among the poor every month.
Sources say the state will reiterate its demand that the Centre should pay salaries to the ration depot-holders (Rs 10,000 per month) so that the distribution channel for implementing the scheme is strengthened.
The modalities
- The issue of how the state can implement its atta-dal scheme alongside the Centr’s food scheme and payment modalities will have to be worked out with the Union Food Ministry
- The number of beneficiaries under the state scheme stands at 15.40 lakh
- The number of beneficiaries under the Centre's programme will swell to 1.82 crore
- State to reiterate its demand that the Centre should pay salaries to ration depot-holders
