The Government of India allocates foodgrains under Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) for Midday Meal scheme, Wheat Based Nutrition Programme, Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls-(Sabla), Annapurna scheme & SC/ST/Hostels scheme. Allocations are also made for Welfare Institutions to meet the requirements of beggar homes, orphanages, homes for nari-niketans etc. sponsored by State Governments & concerned administrative Ministries of Government of India. The allocations for the above schemes are based on requirements projected by concerned administrative Ministries based on assessed requirements. The allocations under these schemes are considered adequate as the offtake by the States/Union Territory (UT) Administrations against these schemes are less than the allocation made. However, any request from States/UTs for additional allocations are considered on merits and higher allocations are made where required.
In the case of Chhattisgarh, the allocation and offtake of foodgrains during the last three years under Welfare Institutions scheme have been as follows :-
(Fig. in tons)
Year | Allocation | Offtake |
2009-10* | 6,000 | 369 |
2010-11 | 24,000 | 23,716 |
2011-12** | 34,809 | 23,574 |
* Lower allocation due to non-submission of Utilization Certificate.
** 2011-12 allocations include 12,266 tons of foodgrains made for SC/ST/OBC/Hostels based on the request from the State Government and adjustment of unspent balance of 1457 tons with the State Government. Offtake for 2011-12 is up to February 2012.(Source : FCI)
Thus, the offtake by Chhattisgarh is less than allocations made by the Government of India.
The Allocation of foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is being made as per allocation norms. State-wise allocation offoodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including ad hoc additional allocation and allocations made under Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) during the last three years is Annexed.
The current level of stock of foodgrains available in the central pool is adequate to meet the requirement of foodgrains as per existing level of allocations under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS).
This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V.Thomas in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today