Food Minister Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said in the Legislative Council that the enhancement of food grain prices ‘has not put any burden on the BPL households’ as they continue to get the ration on ‘highly’ subsidised rates.
He said after the implementation of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) in the state, the government distributes wheat at the rate of Rs 1200 per quintal against the procurement rate of Rs 1900 per quintal. Similarly, rice is provided at the rate of Rs 1500 per quintal against the procurement cost of Rs 2400 per quintal, he added.
Replying to a question of Ramesh Arora, the minister informed that the government bears a deficit of Rs 9 per kg on rice and Rs 7 per kg on wheat that puts extra burden of Rs 411 crore on state exchequer. In order to reduce the deficit in MMSFES, the rates have been enhanced only under NPHH category and there is no burden on 74.13 lakh BPL families in the state, he asserted.
He further informed that the tenders for conversion of wheat into meal atta have been invited and Jammu district would get 10 kg atta bags as and when the same is finalized.
Meanwhile, the minister informed that the government provides carriage/transport charges to the depot owners as per the amount fixed by the concerned Deputy Commissioners.