Centre asks states to lift PDS grains for welfare institutions

The Centre today asked states to lift their quota of subsidised grains meant for distribution to welfare institutions and residents of SC/ST/OBC hostels.

A little over 13 lakh tonnes of foodgrains is allotted to states annually for the welfare institutions covered under PDS. Out of which, half of it is being lifted by states, as per the official data.

About 15/kg of wheat and rice is given at a BPL price of Rs 4.15/kg and Rs 5.65/kg, respectively, to each beneficiary.

In a meeting of state food secretaries called today to discuss the matter, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan asked the states to lift subsidised foodgrains and implement the scheme seriously to ensure nutrition security to weaker section.

"Weaker section need to be given equal opportunity to grow. States should take interest in implementing the scheme," the minister told reporters.

The states were told that the central government is ready to supply grains to even private-aided welfare institutions provided a monitoring system is put in place.

Hostels with at least 2/3rd of the resident students belonging to SC/ST/OBC community are eligible to get subsidised foodgrain for all the resident students, including those who belong to other categories, as per the guidelines.

At present, only Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha are implementing the scheme efficiently. These three states made a presentation in the meeting to help other states adopt best practices and modules.