The Hindu : New Delhi News : Pawar promises more rice for State

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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New Delhi

Pawar promises more rice for State

Special Correspondent

10,000 tonnes of rice every month till September for distribution through PDS

State submits 20 project proposals for clearance
Seeks increase in kerosene allocation

NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has assured the State government of an additional allocation of 10,000 tonnes of rice every month till September for distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The assurance was given to Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran on Monday when he met Mr. Pawar along with officials to press for restoration of the State’s quota of rice through the PDS.

Briefing mediapersons here, Mr. Divakaran said Mr. Pawar informed the delegation that the State’s demand for restoration of its PDS quota would be considered after kharif procurement was completed. He would convene a meeting of food Ministers of southern States in Hyderabad on May 25 where Kerala’s specific problem would also be taken up.

The delegation also sought Central clearance for the State’s plan to create a buffer stock of six lakh tonnes of rice to ensure that Kerala did not face another crisis of the kind it had to deal with for the past few months on the rice front.

As for Mr. Pawar’s suggestion that Kerala give up its wheat quota in lieu of an increase in rice quota, Mr. Divakaran said this had been rejected by the State government. “As it is, we are of the view that the wheat quota is not enough for the State. We want more wheat.”

The delegation also met Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora for increasing the allocation of kerosene to the State. Kerala gets only five litres per person. The State government also submitted a memorandum listing 20 projects worth Rs.178 crore in total for Central clearance. Prominent among the projects are a Rs.57-crore programme to modernise PDS outlets in the State and a Rs.22-crore project to set up a dry-yard and godown in Kuttannad and Palakkad to ensure that harvested paddy is not destroyed by the vagaries of nature.

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