Chennai: Linking the family ration cards with Aadhaar number has helped the government to unearth and weed out 2.62 crore bogus ration cards across the country besides plug Rs 17,000 crore in leakages annually, claims Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan.
The Minister who was in the city to hold a review meeting with the officials including those from FCI (Food Corporation of India) at a hotel here on Monday, said the Aadhaar linkage has helped detect duplicate ration cards that were drawing foodgrains at highly subsidised prices.
“This '17,000-crore savings will now be directed to the real beneficiaries,” the Minister said after the review meeting.
Foodgrains are distributed through State governments at reduced rates under the National Food Securities Act (NFSA). Rice and wheat are offered at the rate of Rs 2 and Rs 3 respectively, however, the Tamil Nadu government is providing these grains for free.
MSP of Rs 1,590 per quintal for Grade ‘A’ paddy
Meanwhile, the procurement of paddy in Tamil Nadu started from October 1, 2017 and this would continue till June this year.
In order to facilitate this, as many as 886 purchase centres have been set up across the State by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Mr. Paswan informed.
Speaking talking to reporters the Minister said the Union Government has announced a MSP of Rs 1,590 per quintal for Grade ‘A’ paddy and Rs 1,550 per quintal for common paddy for the Kharif season of 2017-18.
In addition, the Tamil Nadu Government was also providing Rs 70 per quintal for Grade ‘A’ and Rs 50 per quintal for common Paddy as bonus in the Kharif season of 2017-18 to farmers.
He also discussed with the officials of the State Government about the implementation of the NFSA.
Earlier, reassured that the Centre is committed to protecting the rights of SC / STs and would bring an ordinance if the Supreme Court doesn’t change its ruling to dilute the SC / ST Act.
