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The Punjab government on Thursday offered to supply grains, including wheat and rice, directly, as per the specifications of Kerala government, by keeping Food Corporation of India out of the loop.
A delegation of the Kerala government, led by Food Minister Anoop Jacob, had a detailed meeting with the delegation of Punjab government, led by his counterpart Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon, to identify areas where both states can work together and pave a way to a compatible solution to meet each other's food requirements.
Offering to provide direct grain supply to Kerala, Kairon said Punjab can supply rice and wheat to the southernmost state of the country as per Kerala's specific requirements. Anoop Jacob said Kerala would like to seek grains from Punjab in 40-kg bags. A delegation of Punjab government would soon visit Kerala to work out modalities of the system.
Appreciating the new PDS system introduced by Punjab in which six months or lumpsum quota is provided directly to the beneficiaries keeping out the intermediary, he said Kerala would like to replicate this model while implementing Food Security Act in the state.
