The Centre has given the states another 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice stocks, half of which will be sold to the poor at subsidised rates as food prices continue their steep climb.
An empowered group of ministers (EGoM), headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, also decided to extend the ban on pulses exports and allow duty-free imports of pulses till March 2012.
“In today’s EGoM meeting, it was decided to give additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice quota at the BPL (Below Poverty Line) rate to the states,” food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters after the meeting.
The ministry would allocate the stock in addition to the normal quota for the poor, he added. Families living below the poverty line get wheat and rice at Rs 4.15 and Rs 5.65 per kg, respectively.
“It was also decided to give 25 lakh tonnes additional quota of wheat and rice to APL (Above Poverty Line) families at APL rate, that is at a higher rate of Rs 11.85 rice and Rs 8.45 wheat. Total 50 lakh tonnes of additional quota of wheat and rice has been approved to the states,” Pawar said.