Food Security Bill

The Government approved the revised food Security Bill which is to amend the original Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2011.

As per the amendment 67 % of population of the country would get 5 kg  foodgrains per month at highly subsidised rates of Rs 1-3 per kg.

However, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme under PDS would keep on distributing  35 kg of foodgrain per family per month, to about 2.43 crore poorest of the poor families. The revise is expected to pass before 1o May, when the current session of parliament ends.

 Under the current public distribution system (PDS), BPL and AAY families get 35kg of foodgrains per month, while the allocations for APL families range between 15kg to 35kg.

About 62 million tonnes of foodgrain would be required to implement the Bill, while the food subsidy is estimated at Rs 1,24,747 crore at 2013-14 costs, which is Rs 23,800 crore higher than the existing level.(PTI)

K V Thomas is the present food minister.