Plan panel to release updated poverty data in 10 days: KV Thomas

NEW DELHI: The Planning Commission will come out with updated poverty data in 10 days on the basis of which state governments can start the process of identifying beneficiaries for the new food security programme.

"The Planning Commission will provide in next 10 day updated poverty figures based on National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data for 2011-12," Food Minister KV Thomas said, after a meeting with the Plan panel today.

The centre currently provides subsidised foodgrain to 6.52 crore BPL families and 11.5 crore APL families.

State government can use the updated data for identifying beneficiaries, Thomas said.

Asked about his meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and Kerala Food Minister Anoop Jacob, Thomas said: "Kerala is having a universal public distribution system (PDS) so they are demanding foodgrain allocation for that."

He said the Centre will continue with the foodgrains allocation that Kerala has been receiving during last three years, but the price will be decided by the Cabinet.

Kerala Food Minister Anoop Jacob said: "We have 100 per cent PDS. We cannot go back on that. We need foodgrain entitlement for that."

Jacob pointed out that only 1.4 crore people would be covered under food security programme out of 3.33 crore people and foodgrain allocation to the state would also come down.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Shiela Dixit said: "We are moving forward to launch the food security programme on August 20. We came to meet Food Minister KV Thomas for some clarifications".

Asked about the number of beneficiaries to be covered in Delhi under this programme, she said 72 lakh people will be covered.