PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER CALLS ON SHRI SHARAD YADAV

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The Food Ministry proposes to review and streamline the present system of reimbursement of foodgrains procurement expenses in Punjab. The feasibility of making monthly fund releases to the State Government based on the stocks held by the State would also be examined. This assurance was given by Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to Capt. Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab when the latter called on him here this morning. During the meeting various issues relating to procurement, stocking, movement and distribution of foodgrains in Punjab were discussed.

The Minister also assured the Punjab Chief Minister that the movement of foodgrains out of Punjab would continue to get high priority as in the past. He also agreed to sympathetically consider the demand of the State Government to extend the time limit for milling of about 2.1 lakh MT of paddy procured during the kharif marketing season, 2000-2001.

Referring to the demand of the Government of Punjab to extend the benefit of Antyodaya Anna Yojana Scheme to more families, Shri Yadav said that an appropriate decision in this regard would be taken soon. At present about one crore families are covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana which provides wheat and rice at the rate of Rs. 2 a kg. and Rs. 3 a.