Govt to allocate 3.3 mt extra grain for APL families

Close on the heels of the government allocating an additional five million tonnes (mt) grains for below poverty line (BPL) families, the food ministry today said it was planning to allocate another 3.3 mt grain this time for those above the poverty line (APL).

The proposal, which could be considered in the next meeting of empowered group of ministers (eGoM), is intended to clear storage space, to bring down prices. “These allocations will be over and above the normal quota which is supplied through the public distribution system (PDS),” Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs K V Thomas told reporters here.

APL families get a monthly supply of foodgrains between 10 and 35 kg, depending on the availability. However, in the case of the BPL (below poverty line), the quantity is fixed at 35 kg per month. For the 115-million APL cardholders, the wheat is sold at Rs 6.10 per kg and rice at Rs 8.30 per kg. For the 652-million BPL families, wheat is Rs 4.15 per kg and rice Rs 5.65 a kg.

Thomas who also met a delegation of the Indian Sugar Millers Association said the government would not allow more export of sugar over and above the already permitted 500,000 tonnes under the open general licence. “We have already allowed exports of 1.7 mt of sugar through the process of open general licence and advance licence, hence no more exports would be permitted,” he said.