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The government has released Rs 46,000 crore this fiscal so far on account of food subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI) and some states, Parliament was informed today.
"During the current financial year 2013-14, an amount of Rs 46,348.92 crore (Rs 41,558.52 crore for FCI and Rs 4,790.68 crore for states under DCP) has been released on account of food subsidy as on August 20, 2013," Food Minister K V Thomas informed Rajya Sabha.
In the Budget, the government had provided Rs 90,000 crore for food subsidy for 2013-14 against the revised estimate of Rs 85,000 crore in 2012-13.
The government provides subsidy to FCI and Decentralised Procurement (DCP) states for supplying foodgrains under public distribution system and other welfare schemes at fixed price.
"The annual financial burden after implementation of National Food Security Ordinance is estimated to be Rs 1,24,800 crore approx at current cost," Thomas said, adding that the additional financial burden is estimated at Rs 23,850 crore annually.
Under the food security programme, the minister said 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population at all India level will be entitled to receive subsidised food grains under the targeted public distribution system (TPDS).
The government will provide 5 kg rice and wheat per month per person at Rs 3 and Rs 2 per kg, respectively, to 67% of the country's population.
