Page 3 - Food Subsidy

Food subsidy to be little less than Rs 4 trn in FY22: Food secretary

The government's food subsidy is expected to be a little less than Rs 4 lakh crore in the financial year 2021-22 as against Rs 5.29 lakh crore in previous fiscal, Food Secretary Sudhansu Pandey said

CAG flags lack of transparency in food subsidy for FY17 and FY18

The CAG report said the government undertook funding of revenue and capital expenditure using extra budgetary resources in both the years

From India to US, sharpest rise in food price since 1970s challenges govts

Global food prices were up 33% in August from a year earlier with vegetable oil, grains and meat on the rise, data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization show

Need food, farm subsidy reforms to improve fiscal position: Finance Secy

Finance Secretary T V Somanathan on Tuesday underlined the need for improving the fiscal position of the government through reforms in farm, food and fertilizer subsidies

Second Covid wave, global prices could derail Centre's FY22 subsidy maths

The Centre's plan to start FY22 on a clean slate seems to have gone for a toss within just six months after it cleared the food subsidy backlog and paid its pending liabilities to NSSF

Centre surpasses its revenue targets but higher food subsidy cancels gains

While govt made Rs 1.16 trn more revenue, it spent Rs 1.18 trn more on food subsidy too. But it can be said that the govt used the gains it made to settle FCI arrears once and for all

Will reimburse pending Rs 4,832 cr food subsidies: Govt to Chhattisgarh CM

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has assured Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of reimbursing pending food subsidies worth Rs 4,832 crores

60% of govt 'spending spree' inevitably goes towards committed outlay

With schemes like MGNREGA and cash support via PM-KISAN given priority in allocation from the remainder, govt is forced to dip into capital receipts from disinvestment and borrow from the market

Can FCI's subsidy wipe-out serve as a base for deeper food subsidy reforms?

If clearing of FCI's outstanding dues and loans does not spur further reforms, they will once again reach current levels in the next 4-5 years, say experts

Budget likely to increase food subsidy allocation by 4%-6% for 2021/22

Budget will be presented on February 1

Food subsidy in Parliament canteens ends, to save Rs 8 cr: LS Speaker Birla

The annual food bill of the Parliament canteens hovers around Rs 20 crore

After hiking fertiliser, Centre may now review food subsidy outlay

Of the Rs 1.15 trillion budgeted as food subsidy for the fiscal year, Rs 1.05 trillion was spent by October

Covid-19 relief: Centre mulls extending scheme for free grains and pulses

For wheat, rice and pulses (notably chana), the central government has enough stock to ensure additional supplies for the next 3-4 months

Free food grain scheme extension: Choice between welfare and rising subsidy

After the Garib Kalyan Yojana was extended by five months from July To November, an additional subsidy of Rs 76,000 crore had to be borne by the govt

Centre's Garib Kalyan Scheme and the reality of a burgeoning subsidy bill

While govt would have saved Rs 18,000 cr by distributing 33 mn tonnes of grains that would otherwise have gone waste, its subsidy payout amounts to Rs 45,000 cr

IMF says India needs another fiscal stimulus, income support to fight Covid

In the short term, a detailed well communicated and credible medium-term fiscal consolidation plan is also important, alongside an increase in fiscal transparency, IMF said

Centre directs states, UTs to cover disabled persons under food law

States have also been asked to issue fresh ration cards to eligible disabled persons not covered under the NFSA

Covid-19: Experts seek income support, cash transfer for those affected

NIPFP's Rathin Roy said that providing income support and preventing wealth disruptions is a necessary requirement in the current situation.

Ending monopoly of mandis is good, but process could be problematic

Ending the monopoly of the mandis is a good thing, but early experiences show that the process can be problematic

Liquidity focus continues

Govt provides immediate relief, but demand boosters missing