MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN
THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c)&(d): No, Sir. Per capita allocation under TPDS has not been reduced, only total allocation
for APL category has been reduced/rationalized.
Keeping in view the reduced stocks of wheat in the Central Pool, the allocation of wheat
for Below Poverty Line (BPL), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) & Above Poverty Line (APL) category has
been rationalized to each State`s average offtake for the last 3 years or the last year`s
offtake, whichever was lower. A 25% cut on this was imposed in respect of rice consuming States.
However, there has been no change in the overall allocation/entitlements for BPL and AAY
categories.
Thereafter, in view of the improved stock position and to keep prices of wheat in the
open market under check, the Department of Food & Public Distribution has released about one
lakh tonnes of wheat under APL category for all the States/UTs for the months of September, 2006
to July, 2007.
Similarly, keeping in view the stocks of rice in the central pool, the allocation of
rice for APL category under the TPDS has been rationalized, from April, 2007, on the basis of
each State`s maximum monthly offtake for the last three years. This decision has also been made
uniformly applicable to all State/UTs.
However, keeping in view the requests received from the North Eastern States & Sikkim,
the Central Government has enhanced w.e.f. July, 2007, the allocation of rice for the APL
category to 1.5 times of their existing allocation.
(e): There is no impact of the above decisions for other foodgrain based schemes.
