Packed foodgrains via ration shops being mulled

Under the law, the govt aims to provide a legal right to 5 kg of foodgrain a person every month at Rs 1-3 a kg

To plug leakages in the public distribution system (PDS) and supply quality foodgrain under the new food law to 67 per cent of the country’s population, the government is looking at distributing cheaper foodgrain in packs of 5 kg.

Under the law, the government aims to provide a legal right to 5 kg of foodgrain a person every month at Rs 1-3 a kg.

At present, foodgrain in PDS shops is sold in loose form.

"There is a suggestion to supply 5 kg foodgrains in packs via the PDS. We are looking into this seriously," said Food Minister K V Thomas while addressing an event on World Standards Day. The Centre was discussing how foodgrains can be packed in small quantities during procurement in Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, he said.

"We are working out this with producing states. We can procure quality grains and pack in a 5 kg bag for distribution to PDS beneficiaries," Thomas said.

At present, foodgrains are procured and packed in a 50 kg bags for distribution to PDS shops, where grains are further sold loose to beneficiaries at a cheaper price.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also been asked to examine this issue, the minister added.

On the occasion of the World Standards Day, Thomas said the BIS has more responsibility to ensure quality standards for food products even as the organisation has brought out a number of standards covering food safety.

"On the issue of human health and safety, one concern is the availability of food that is hygienic and free of contaminants for that food is safe for consumption," he said.

The Minister called on Indian companies to adapt their business practises in sync with global standards to benefit from the global trade.

The government body BIS has formulated over 19,000 standards on diverse subjects ranging from food, chemicals, engineering and textiles to high technology areas of electronics with a focus on their conformity to international standards.