EGoM nod to extra sale of grains to APL families
In yet another attempt to control food inflation still hovering over 12 per cent, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on food approved sale of additional 30 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat to around 11.5 crore APL families.
The APL families get 10-35 kg of wheat and rice per month at Rs 6.10 per kg and Rs 8.30 per kg, respectively.
The government godowns are overflowing with food grains amounting to 60 million tonnes and the move may help government offload some of it.
To deal with the problem of storage of food grains, the EGoM decided to extend the guarantee period to private parties for hiring godowns to 10 years from present seven years, sources said.
The Food Corporation of India is planning to add 130 lakh tonnes of storage capacity by offering a guarantee to private parties that it would hire godowns for seven years.
However, the EGOM did not take any decision on increasing the issue price of sugar through ration shops. The food ministry had proposed to increase the issue price as it has recently raised the levy price (the rate at which it buys sugar from mills) to an average Rs 17.57 per kg, while the selling price in ration shops is Rs 13.50.
The panel also discussed export of certain superior varieties of non-basmati rice.
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