Food Subsidy Estimated to be Around Rs. 1,31,086 Crore

Annual food subsidy implication of implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) at 2014-15 costs, is estimated to be around Rs. 1,31,086 crore, against which, Rs. 1,10,500 crore has been provided in the current year budget. In addition to this an amount of Rs. 4500 crore has been allotted for sugar subsidy. This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve.

The Minister said that NFSA is deemed to have come into force on 05 July 2013. Its implementation is contingent upon identification of eligible households by States/UTs for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). For which a period not exceeding 365 days has been provided in the Act. However, as this exercise is yet to be completed in many States/UTs, they have been requested to complete the identification and take other preparatory measures at the earliest and ensure implementation of the Act within next three months. The issue of payment of food security allowance arises only after implementation of the Act starts in respective States/UTs.

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