Kerala CM Demands Higher Grain Allocation Under Food Law

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy met Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and sought higher food grains allocation under the ambitious Food Law likely to be rolled out in the state from March. So far, 23 states and union territories have implemented the food law, under which rice and wheat are supplied at a highly subsidized rate of Rs 1-3 per kg.Kerala has been given an average 16.25 lakh ton of food grains for distribution through ration shops in the last three years. But under the food law, the state would get lower grain allocation of 14.25 lakh tonnes."There is a reduction in foodgrains allocation to the state under the food law. We requested the Union Food Minister to take steps to allocate at least the average quota of 16.25 lakh ton to the state", Mr. Chandy noted.Kerala is implementing an Universal Public Distribution System (PDS) covering the entire population of 334 lakh in the state. But as per the food law, only 154.8 lakh people under priority households would be covered and 10.16 lakh ton of food grains will be required to meet their demand, he said in a letter to the Union Food Minister."This would leave about 179 lakh people, out of the total population of about 334 lakh, with only 4.25 lakh ton of food grains", he added.Besides, Mr. Chandy also demanded that the Centre should protect the interest of orphans and welfare institutions under the food law."Since there is no provision to allot food grains to such welfare institutions and orphanages in the food law, the Centre should examine the matter sympathetically and take steps to protect this category", he added.The Kerala government has indicated that it would roll out the food law from March 2016. But it looks unlikely if the law would get implemented in view of assembly elections due in May 2016.