Eight days after announcing that the National Food Security Act would be implemented in Jharkhand from June 1, the state government today said it would begin from July 1.
"The Food Security Act will come into force from July 1 this year as announced in the Assembly during the Budget session," Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Saryu Ray said at a press conference here.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das had on April 5 said the welfare programme would be rolled out from June 1.
Roy said all works to facilitate implementation of the Act would be completed by June 30 and 86 per cent of the population would benefit under the Act.
Stating that old ration cards would be eligible till the beneficiaries got new cards, Roy said they would get five kg rice or wheat per member of a family per month with 25 kg being the upper limit.
He said rice would be given at three rupees per kg and wheat at two rupees per kg, adding, the state government would also fix a rate to provide the beneficiaries two kg of sugar.
The Centre would provide funds, he said adding if the state government decides to give grains at cheaper rates, it would pay the additional amount.
The existing 'Antyodaya Yojana' that gives 35 kg rice at one rupee per kg to nine lakh families would continue, Roy said.
The minister said an estimated 1.4 lakh metric tonne grains would be required per month and the government would begin procuring grains from the farmers at the minimum support price.
After the implementation and connecting the exercise to computer system, there would be no scope for selling ration in the black market, claimed the minister.
