Arunachal calls for support to strengthen PDS

Itanagar, Feb 14. Arunachal Pradesh has sought Centre’s financial support to strengthen the targeted public distribution system in the state under the National Food Security Bill. The existing machinery of the states should be allowed to be used and its recurring expenditure borne by them while grievance redressal are set up at block and panchayat level besides including a representative of farmer's community in State Food Commission, the Food and Civil Supplies Parliamentary Secretary Nido Pavitra told the Food Ministers' meet in New Delhi yesterday. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K V Thomas who chaired the meeting said the government intends to present the revised National Food Security Bill in Parliament during budget session for consideration and passage, official sources informed here today. Thomas said that the states have to play a very crucial role to strengthen targeted public distribution system (TPDS) including intermediate storage facilities at all levels in order to be able to successfully implement the act. On sharing of recurring expenditure, Pavitra urged for 90:10 sharing between the Centre and the states against the recommendation of A category state to bear all cost, recurring and capital both while the rest be divided into category B and C states at the rate of 50 per cent and 75 per cent of one time capital expenditure. While accepting various recommendations, Pavitra also suggested for uniform entitlement of 8 kg per person of PDS rice for all special category states (including NE) and union territories against the recommendation of 5 kg per person. The National Food Security Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December, 2011 and thereafter was examined in detail by the Parliamentary Standing Committee. State Food Ministers' meet has been called by the Centre to have final consultations on the Bill in the light of recommendations of the Standing Committee, sources added.v>