Economic Survey of Maharashtra is prepared by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Planning Department every year for presentation in the Budget Session of the State Legislature. The present publication for the year 2012-13
FM allocates Rs 10,000 cr to implement the programme; this is apart from the usual food subsidy requirement of Rs 80,000 cr for the year
The most ambitious social security programme of the government, the National Food Security Bill, got a leg-up in the 2013-14 Budget, with Finance Minister P Chidambaram allocating Rs 10,000 crore for implementing it.This allocation is over and above the usual food subsidy requirement of Rs 80,000 crore for the year.
Economic Survey 2013: Agriculture reforms must, says report. With agriculture growth rate falling short of the 4 per cent target in last five years, the sector needs urgent reforms to boost crop yields and private investment in infrastructure so as to motivate farmers and feed the growing population.
The farm sector achieved 3.6 per cent growth during the 11th Five year Plan (2007-12), falling short of the 4 per cent growth target, although it was much higher than growth of 2.5 and 2.4 per cent during 9th and 10th Plans, it added.
Leaders of four Left parties met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to ask the government to take immediate measures to bring in food security legislation in this budget session that would provide for a universal public distribution system; ensure 35 kg of grains at not more than Rs. 2 a kg and end the cash transfer scheme for the public distribution system.
Read text of Pranab Mukherjee's speech during budget session of the Parliament. He touched upon various issues like the slow economic growth, growth in agriculture and allied sectors to India's role at Doha climate conference & called for greater transparency in governance.
Decentralized Sourcing, Distribution Can Cut Costs: Thinktank
How much would it cost the central government to provide grain to the whole country at affordable prices? A calculation by the Delhi-based advocacy group Centre for Budget & Governance Accountability (CBGA) puts the figure at Rs 2,38,471 crore for one year. In the current financial year (2012-13), the Centre spent Rs 75,366 crore on the food subsidy, that is, about 0.74% of the gross domestic product.
The agriculture ministry is seeking more budgetary support to increase farm sector growth rate to 4% per annum from 3.5% at present.
“The allocation this year would be more as the country needs to produce more to provide food security to the nation,” an agriculture ministry official said. “The scheme ‘Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India’ has done well with increased funds of . 1,000 crore. We expect more allocation.” In the last budget, the total plan outlay for agriculture and cooperation was increased by 18% from . 17,123 crore in 2011-12 to . 20,208 crore.
The Nobel laureate says neglecting children is not only unjust but also an economic blunder
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said the National Food Security Bill needs to be strengthened to include children’s entitlements. According to him, the Bill, in the current form, neglects children. He pointed out that there are powerful lobbies for diesel and LPG subsidies, and even for exemptions of custom duties on gold imports. However, nobody is lobbying for children’s rights. Neglecting children is not only unjust but also an economic blunder, he said.
Current grains allocation, AAY entitlement will be protected under the Bill, he assures States
Responding to concerns expressed by several States on a possible cut in food grains allocation under the National Food Security Bill, the Centre on Thursday gave an assurance that the current allocation will be protected and so will the Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) entitlement for the poorest of the poor. The Bill, Minister of State for Food K.V. Thomas said, would be reworked to make it “practical” and “acceptable.” It was proposed to be presented in the budget session of Parliament.
