SC Commissioners On Food Dub Negligence By Officials as

NEW DELHI: On the eve of a decision on the draft food security law by the Sonia Gandhi headed National Advisory Council, the government unveiled a blueprint for a complete revamp of the public distribution system, or PDS.

SHILLONG, July 2

The process of procurement of wheat on support price was over on May 31. Till that date a record purchase of 35 lakh 27 thousand metric tonnes of wheat was done by the government agencies.

After Manipur, it is now the turn of Arunachal Pradesh to complain about scarcity of food items, with the State Government complaining about irregular Public Distribution System (PDS) in the State.

No one in his wildest imagination would have thought that a state like Madhya Pradesh will become a wheat-surplus state. But, it is now a reality.

Aiming to enhance cooperation in increased agricultural production and exchange of technology, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday left for Moscow on a three-day visit to hold discussions with Chinese, Brazilian and Russian counterparts on a prospective agreement that can also leverage BRIC

The Empowered Group of Ministers that met here on Thursday has advised the Union Food Ministry to get the National Food Security Bill vetted by the Law Ministry before placing it in the Union Cabinet for approval. The proposed Bill envisages provision of 25 kg. of wheat or rice to BPL families at Rs. 3 per kg per month.

While Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee signalled government intention to come out with a national food security Bill soon during his Budget speech, the action plan that has been worked out suggests that the legislation will not make it to Parliament for at least another year.

A team from the Union Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies has taken samples of PAU-201 variety of paddy from different places in Patiala.