Food law rolled out partially in 7 states so far

Three more states are expected to roll it out soon

The ambitious food security law, enacted a few months ago, is being implemented partially in Karnataka and six other states as of now, while three more states are expected to roll it out.

Passed by Parliament in September, the landmark law seeks to provide highly subsidised foodgrains to the country’s two-thirds of the population as a right.

“As of now, seven states—Karnataka, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Chattisgarh—have rolled out the food law. Except for one or two, others are implementing partially,” a senior food ministry official said.

Some states have started implementing the law partially as they are in the process of identifying the beneficiaries, he said, adding that foodgrains are being allocated to these states accordingly.

The official mentioned that Uttarakhand and Chandigarh have evinced interest in implementing the law at the earliest, while Bihar is expected to roll it out as the state is the biggest beneficiary in terms of foodgrains allocation.

No progress has been made in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and north eastern region, he added.

 

Various agri-officials are of the view that a maximum of 15 states, mostly Congress-ruled, are expected to implement the food security law before general elections, due in May.

 

It aims at providing rice at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg and coarse cereal at Re 1 per kg. It is expected to cost the national exchequer Rs 1.25 lakh crore, and require 62 million tonnes of foodgrain.