Budget 2013: Govt sets aside Rs 10,000 crore for National Food Security Bill

NEW DELHI: As expected, finance minister P Chidambaram set aside Rs 10,000 crore for incremental cost for National Food Security Bill over and above food subsidy to reinforce government's commitment to implement food security scheme in the country.

According to food ministry, the government needs Rs 1,20 lakh crore for rolling out this scheme across the country. This year the food subsidy bill under the existing TPDS scheme has crossed Rs 80,000 crore. The Bill promises monthly entitlement of 5 kg of food grains per person at subsidised rates. It will provide rice at Rs 3 a kg, wheat at Rs 2 a kg and coarse grains at 1 per kg.

The food ministry has held consultations with state governments incorporate their views in the new draft. The new draft will also widen the scope of beneficiaries by including 2.52 crore families, which have been categorised as poorest of the poor and are already getting grains at the prices recommended in the Bill. This will be besides covering 67% population in the country.