Naveen opposes caps on PDS

Orissa has voiced its opposition to the caps proposed in the targeted Public Distribution System (PDS) in the National Food Security (NFS) Bill-2011.

The NFS Bill has proposed a cap of 75 per cent in rural areas and 50 per cent in urban areas on the coverage under targeted PDS.

The state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while welcoming the concept of food security, has objected to fixing limits on targeted PDS and also pointed out that the Bill leaves many gaps to achieve.

“It is felt that these limits should not be fixed under the Act but as per the socio-economic survey conducted by the government from time to time. In other words, the limits, if any, should be dynamic with annual updating based on the survey”, Patnaik wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister.

CM has raised objections to the Centre's proposition of fixing poverty ratios in consultation with the Planning Commission without involving the states.