Maharashtra to launch food security scheme Feb 1

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Maharashtra will launch a food security scheme in the state Feb 1, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anil Deshmukh said Monday.

The scheme, which will benefit over seven crore of the state's over 11 crore population, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at a function in Navi Mumbai, he said.

Under the scheme, the targeted population will receive foodgrains at Re.1 per kg, wheat at Rs.2 per kg and rice at Rs.3 per kg, he added.

Besides the seven crore beneficiaries under the central scheme for below poverty line (BPL) families, the state plans to include another 1.77 crore people above poverty line (APL) at its own expense.

According to ministry officials, of the 5.75 crore in the APL category, the state government will cover those with an annual income of Rs.15,000-Rs.44,000 in rural areas and Rs.15,000-Rs.59,000 in urban centres.

For the remaining 1.77 crore in APL category who are not covered under the central scheme, the state government will give them rice at Rs.9.60 per kg and wheat at Rs.7.20 per kg.

The state will get around 44 lakh quintals of foodgrains and each person will get five kg of foodgrains including wheat, rice, jowar and maize under this scheme.