NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
There is no proposal under consideration of the Central Government at present for disbursement of food subsidy in cash, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K V Thomas informed the Lok Sabha today.
In a written reply, Mr Thomas clarified that the government does not propose to hand over cash to beneficiaries, instead of allocation of food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System(TPDS).
Mr Thomas said in a meeting of States and Union Territories of Food Ministers and Food Secretaries held on February 13,2013 at the capital to discuss the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution on the National Food Bill that some states have opposed direct cash transfer in lieu of food subsidy on account of lack of banking facilities, likely impact on food security and agriculture.
He said some states also mentioned about the activities being undertaken by them towards modernisation of TPDS, including end-to end computerisation of its operations.
Mr Thomas said all states were requested to complete the digitisation of database by March, 2013 and computerisation to supply chain by October, 2013. (UNI)
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