Rs 1.23 Lakh Crore require for National Food Security Scheme

     New Delhi, April 22, 2013: India needs at least Rs 1.23 lakh crore as subsidy for implementing the proposed National Food Security Scheme, official sources said today.

     For the Scheme 607.4 lakh tonnes foodgrains are estimated to be rrequired as of 2011 population, official sources said.

     In other word the scheme would need an estimated food subsidy, at 2013-14 costs, of about Rs 1,23,084 crore, they said.

     The National Food Security Bill, 2011 (NFSB), as introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 22, 2011, provides for coverage of up to 75 per cent of the rural population, with at least 46 per cent belonging to priority households, and up to 50 per cent of the urban population, with at least 28 per cent belonging to priority households, for subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

     Every person belonging to priority household will be entitled to receive 7 kg of foodgrains per person per month at prices not exceeding Rs 3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarsegrains, whereas every person belonging to general household will be entitled to receive not less than 3 kg per person per month at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and coarsegrains and not exceeding 50 per cent of derived MSP for rice, they said.