Bihar Food minister rebuts Paswan charges

Bihar Food minister Shyam Rajak today rebutted Union Food and Public Distribution minister Ramvilas Paswan allegation that state government adopted a lackadaisical approach towards implementation of Food Security Act.
"Paswan should check facts with his officials before making any statement," Rajak said in a release strongly contesting the allegations made by the Central minister.
The Bihar minister said that his government was committed for proper implementation of food law.
"Bihar is the first state in computerisation of public distribution system and door step delivery," he said to drive home his point.
Seriousness of the state government could be understood from the fact that it has adopted Information Technology based supply chain management system in PDS as part of which PDS outlets were given information through SMS, Rajak said.

GPS system has been installed in vehicles carrying foodgrains to PDS outlets and their movements closely monitored, he said.

He also refuted the allegation of sloppiness in lifting of foodgrains quota in March, April and May months.
"Allotment of March quota, which as per rules FCI should have done by mid-February was made available to the state on March 4. Due to this, state has to face difficulties in lifting foodgrains of two months," Rajak said.
"Accumulation of stock of March, April and May months are creating problems for the state," he said.
"The rakes of FCI is yet to reach in Gaya, Purnia, Jogbani, Darbhanga, Chapra, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Raxual, Jamui and Madhepura causing backlog for the state," he said.

The minister contested shortage of storage capacity which he said at present was 8.15 lakh tonnes. This is targeted to increase to 12 lakh tonnes by March 31, 2015 under five year agriculture roadmap, he said.