Additional quota of foodgrains released for states

New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) The Central Government has allocated 9,52,500 tonnes of wheat and 1,18,000 tonnes of rice for the Above Poverty Line (APL) category people during the current year (upto December 2008) to various States/UTs.

An additional allocations of 36,000 tonnes of rice and 1,92,000 tonnes of wheat at APL rate have been issued for festival season 2008 to various states, an official release said here today.

Besides that, an adhoc allocation of about nine lakh tonnes of wheat for sale to retail consumers and another 8.4 lakh tonnes of wheat for bulk consumers was released in the country under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) for September to November 2008.

However, the Centre, rejected the plea of Haryana for increase of the state's monthly levy quota from 2,485 MTs to 3,891 MTs on account of increase in BPL families. The Centre said in view of limited availability of levy sugar, it is not possible to accept the state's demand.

The Centre allocated kerosene to the states/UTs under the Public Distribution System (PDS) on historical basis. In accordance with the policy adopted in 2000, Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) allocation was reduced every year beginning 2001-02 till 2003-04, taking into account the number of LPG connections released in each state/UT.

While the initial allotment for 2004-05 was based on the criteria adopted hitherto, additional allocations were made during the year to meet the urgent emergent demand. For the years 2005-06 to 2007-08, allocations have been maintained at the level of 2004-05, including additional allocations made during that year. Allocations for the first, second and third quaters. of 2008-09 have also been maintained at the level of 2005-06.

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