Union Food Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan clarified that subsidised grain allocations through the public distribution system (PDS) would not be hiked for now. Denying a news report that a hike was on the cards, Mr. Paswan told reporters, “It is true that we have large stocks of rice and wheat but there is no proposal, no suggestion, to give 7 kg instead of 5.”
Under the Food Security Act, two thirds of the population gets 5 kg of rice and wheat monthly at Rs 3 and Rs 2 per kg respectively. Several states have demanded an increase. The Minister added, "7 kg food grains per person can be supplied through PDS but this would put pressure on the food subsidy bill."
Mr. Paswan revealed that only five states have fully implemented the act and six others have partially implemented it. Twenty five other states and union territories have not implemented the act, for which the Centre has given them three more months to comply.
