Question : REDUCTION IN APL QUOTA

(a) whether the Planning Commission has forwarded any proposal to reduce the quota of foodgrains for APL families and also to increase the prices of foodgrains distributed under the Public Distribution System with a view to implement the National Food Security Act in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the modalities worked out therefor;

(c) the total requirement of foodgrains to be provided to the BPL card holders alongwith the subsidy thereon as mooted in the proposal of the Planning Commission;

(d) whether the estimated increase in production of foodgrains is likely to help in the implementation of the scheme; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (e): At present, allocations of foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) are made at the rate of 35 kg per family per month in respect of 6.52 crore Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families. Allocations in respect of Above Poverty Line (APL) families are made depending on availability of foodgrains in the Central Pool and past off-take. The scale of issue for APL families ranges from 10kg to 35kg per family per month.

The proposed National Food Security Act envisages entitling every BPL family to a certain quantity of foodgrains per month at subsidized prices. The Empowered Group of Ministers(EGoM), constituted for the purpose of examining various aspects of the proposed law, has asked Planning Commission to, inter-alia, consider all issues in consultation with all Ministries concerned and make specific recommendations regarding the proposed National Food Security Bill.