Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has initiated steps to procure foodgrain under the open market sale scheme (OMSS) from the Food Corporation of India to overcome shortage of rice allotted in the government quota. The price under open sale scheme is less by Rs 5- Rs 7 than that of private players. Sources said that with the implementation of the Food Security Act, the rice quota was slashed to 10.13 lakh tonnes from 16.25 lakh tonnes annually.
As per the central government guidelines, 1.54 crore people who are covered under the Act would get four kg of rice and one kg of wheat free of cost.Also, 1.24 crore people included in the non-priority list would get two kg of rice at Rs 2 per kg and another 65 lakh people will get one kg of rice at Rs 8.90 and wheat at Rs 6.70.
The state government had demanded more grain for distribution to those included in the non-priority households and also for 40 to 50 lakh of migrant labourers. However, the union food ministry officials have asked the state government to purchase foodgrain under the OMSS. The state government can purchase foodgrain in the OMSS by E-auction. The FCI released wheat and rice at predetermined prices in the open market to ensure the supply of wheat and rice to moderate the open market prices.
