Food security law will reduce PDS leakage: Food minister

By Rituparna Bhuyan

The Food Minister KV Thomas has told CNBC-TV18 that the government will decrease its food subsidy if the Food Bill is Implemented Properly.

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed Sonia Gandhi’s pet project, the Food Security Bill which guarantees 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per individual at a fixed price of Rs 3, 2, 1, respectively, to nearly 67 percent of the population.

[caption id=“attachment_1067245” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The Rajya Sabha Will Consider Food Security Bill On Monday September 2. Reuters[/caption]

Thomas also told CNBC-TV18 that the government’s Food Security Legislation will reduce PDS Leakage By 25-30 percent and modernise it, bring down procurement losses and ensure that people will have the legal right to food.

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He said that this year’s allocation of food was enough and states will have a year to implement the legislation and modernise their delivery mechanisms - ensuring additional warehouses and storage. Thomas said that states can also ask for grains from non-FSB schemes.

The Rajya Sabha Will Consider Food Security Bill On Monday September 2.

The Food Security bill proposes subsidised foodgrain for up to 75 percent of the rural and up to 50 percent of the urban population. It proposes meal entitlement to specific groups.