Centre to provide additional 89,540 tonnes of food grains to Kerala

The central government has decided to send an additional 89,540 tonnes of food grains to the flood-battered Kerala, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) scheme, Kerala gets 1,18,000 tonnes of food grains per month but it does not cover the entire population.

"We want food grains to reach every person in the state. So, we are sending additional 89,540 tonnes. In addition, we have sent 100 tonnes of pulses, with 80 tonnes to be supplied daily henceforth," Paswan told reporters here.

Under the NFSA, 75 per cent of the rural population and up to 50 per cent of the urban population receive subsidised food grains -- 5 kg per person per month at Rs 3, Rs 2, Re 1 per kg of rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively.

Paswan said that the Ministry had not decided on who would incur the expenses on the supply of additional food grains.

"It is in the initial stage. The issue of who pays the bill is not a matter of concern now. The food grain supply can be done for three months," Paswan said.

The central government will provide as much help as possible to Kerala, he added.

--IANS

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