New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has observed that not a single food grain should be wasted. In a strongly-worded ruling, the apex court has told the government that foodgrains are rotting and if you can't do anything about it then distribute it among the poor.
The court has also sought government's response on this.
Meanwhile, as the government faces flak over letting close to 30 lakh tonnes of foodgrain rot across the country, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on food has reportedly decided to sell an additional 30 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat to 11.5 crore Above-Poverty-Line (APL) families through ration shops.
The decision will also help clear stocks from overflowing granaries.
PTI adds: The EGoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, cleared the proposal.
APL families get 10-35 kg of wheat and rice per month at Rs 6.10 and Rs 8.30 per kg, respectively.
At present, the government godowns are overflowing with food grains amounting to 60 million tonnes.
To augment the storage space for foodgrains, EGoM is believed to have decided to extend the guarantee period to private parties for hiring godowns to 10 years from present seven years, sources said.
The Food Corporation of India is planning to add 130 lakh tonnes of storage capacity by offering a guarantee to private parties that it would hire godowns for seven years.
The EGoM did not take any decision on increasing the issue price of sugar through ration shops, sources added.
Also Read:UP: Food meant for kids eaten by dogsAfter UP, now food grains rot in MaharashtraHunger spreads as food grains continue to rot in Madhya Pradesh