Centre to launch Rs 4,800 crore of meals subsidy to Chhattisgarh quickly

The Centre will shortly launch Rs 4,800 crore of meals subsidy to Chhattisgarh, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution stated on Friday.
In a press release, the ministry stated, “Regarding the release of an admissible amount of food subsidy to the State, the claims received from the State Government have been processed and approximately Rs.4,800 crore will be released shortly.”
According to the Ministry, this has been communicated by the Food Minister Piyush Goyal to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel throughout a gathering on Friday.
The challenge of acceptance of 40 Lakh metric tonnes of surplus rice within the state throughout Kharif advertising and marketing season 2020-21, was additionally mentioned through the assembly.
“During the meeting, it was informed that procurement operations for the Central Pool including quantity to be procured is solely based on the MoU signed between Government of India, Food Corporation of India and the State Government concerned,” the Ministry stated.
“It was clarified that the procurement operations for the Central Pool including quantity to be procured is based on the MoU signed between Government of India, Food Corporation of India and the State Government concerned,” it stated.

“As per the condition stipulated in the MoU, if any State gives bonus/financial incentive in direct or indirect form, over and above MSP and if the overall procurement of the State is in excess of the total allocation to the State made by Government of India under TPDS/Other Welfare Schemes, such excess quantity will be treated outside the Central Pool and will not be taken over by FCI/GoI,” it added.

The Ministry additional stated that the quantum of rice to be procured from Chhattisgarh for the Central Pool has been capped at 24 Lakh MT, which is equal to the amount allowed in earlier years.