The Hindu : National : "Ensure foodgrains reach the poor"

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Saturday, Mar 11, 2006

National

National

"Ensure foodgrains reach the poor"

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Thursday urged the Government to ensure that the foodgrains meant for the poor reached them.

Intervening during the Question Hour on a supplementary on the Targeted Public Distribution System, Mr. Shekhawat said several questions had been raised in the last three years on the subject of diversion and of foodgrains not reaching the poor. "The Government had given assurances on several occasions. I do understand the difficulties faced by the Government but I would request the Government to take such issues seriously. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the foodgrains meant for the poor reached."

Earlier, replying to questions raised by Vijay Darda (Congress), S.G. Indira (AIADMK), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Minister for Food and Agriculture Sharad Pawar admitted there was diversion of foodgrains meant for the below poverty line population.

He said there was 100 per cent diversion in the northeast and in Bihar and some other States. Mr. Pawar said the Centre would now do quarterly review of the monitoring by State Governments to ensure that there were no diversions.

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