Subsidy on rice, wheat under TPDS touches Rs 80,491 cr

Govt's subsidy burden for rice, wheat through targeted public distribution system was Rs 74,903 cr in 2011-12

Government's subsidy bill for providing cheap rice and wheat to the poor and below poverty line (BPL) families via ration shops touched Rs 80,491 crore so far in the current fiscal, Parliament was informed today.

The government's subsidy burden in providing rice and wheat through the targeted public distribution system (TPDS) was Rs 74,903 crore in 2011-12 fiscal, Food Minister K V Thomas said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The subsidy on rice was Rs 36,540 crore as of March 6, 2013, while, that on wheat was Rs 43,951 crore.

In the previous fiscal, subsidy on rice stood at Rs 49,041 crore and that on wheat was Rs 25,862 crore.

In a separate query, the minister told the Upper House that TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Union and State governments.

The responsibility of allocation of foodgrain with the state/UTs, issuance of ration cards and the supervision and monitoring of fair price shops rests with the states, he added.