By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The food security scheme of the UPA government will benefit over 21 lakh people of Meghalaya.
This was informed by Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala here on Friday.
Giving details the Haryana minister said, “Altogether 21,94,000 people out of the total population of 29,64,000 in Meghalaya (as per the 2011 census) will get the benefit of the food security scheme.”
The “Food Security Ordinance” was promulgated by President Pranab Mukherjee on July 5 and Haryana and Delhi would be the first states to roll out the scheme on August 20.
The Minister also informed that it would be left to the State Government to decide which section of the populace would come under the uncovered population of seven lakh who will not avail the scheme.
According to Surjewala, the equally hyped and opposed food security scheme has to be implemented in all the states in the next six months starting from July 5.
It may be mentioned that the national Food Security Ordinance, aims to provide subsidised food grains to around 67 per cent of India’s population every month. The Food Security programme when implemented will be the biggest in the world with the government spending estimated at one lakh 25 thousand crore rupees annually.
Individuals coming under the programme will be provided with 5 kg of food grains per month at the rate of Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg of wheat and Re 1 per kg of millet/coarse grains.
The scheme would target 75 % of rural and 50 % of urban population.
When asked about the opposition to the Bill from other political parties, he said that the Lok Sabha had referred the Bill to the standing committee which was represented by all political parties including BJP, Shiv Sena and BSP.
Surjewala also dismissed fears about improper implementation of the act. “Any Government which does not implement the scheme will be liable to pay food security allowance to every person entitled to receive the benefits of the scheme,” he informed.
The Haryana minister clarified that the BPL families who are now getting rice at a rate of 6 per kg in Meghalaya would get rice at Rs 3 after the implementation of the scheme and the rate will be same for the APL families who are presently paying Rs 9 for per kg of rice.