Lok Sabha Question No. 6164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Food to Poor
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI  S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) to (d): The production of foodgrains in the country has generally been in excess of their projected demand and there is no shortage of foodgrains in the country.

The Government ensures food security in the country through timely and efficient procurement and distribution of foodgrains.

The  Government  launched  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  (TPDS)  to provide food to poor people at a subsidized price. Under TPDS, central government is responsible for procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of foodgrains to the State Government. The State governments hold the responsibility of allocation of foodgrains  within  the  State,  lifting  of  foodgrains  from  Food  Corporation  of  India  (FCI) Depots, transportation of foodgrains to Fair Price Shops within the State, Identification of eligible families/persons, issue of Ration  Cards, distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries, supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops etc.

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6164

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11 TH  APRIL, 2017

## FOOD TO POOR

6164.  SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the agriculture which accounts for a huge share in the country's Gross Domestic Product is able to provide food to the poor people at affordable rates; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to ensure food security in the country;
- (c) whether in view of the pitiable condition of the farmers, the Government proposes to make such arrangements for them; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

The  Government  also  launched  National Food  Security Act (NFSA)  with coverage of 67% of population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas) to provide food and nutritional security to poor people. Under the Act, foodgrains is distributed @ 5 kg per person per month for priority households category and @ 35 kg per person per month for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families at a highly subsidized prices of Rs. 1, Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 per kg for coarse grains, wheat and rice respectively.

During  2016-17,  Government  has  allocated  513.45  lakh  tonnes  of  foodgrains under  NFSA  and  29.27  lakh  tonnes  of  foodgrains  under  TPDS  to  the  State  before implementation of NFSA by them. In addition, Government has also allocated 1.87 lakh tonnes of foodgrains for Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) family in non-NSFA States, 29.03 lakh tonnes of foodgrains for festivals and other additional requirement and 55.29 lakh tonnes of foodgrains under other welfare scheme such as Mid  Day  Meal  (MDM)  Scheme,  Wheat  Based  Nutrition  Programme  (WBNP),  Sabla, Annapurna Scheme etc.

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