INVC,
Delhi,
The Center has convened a conference of State Food Ministers on July 4th, 2014 in New Delhi to discuss measures to check inflation. This was stated by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan here today. Briefing the media he said that the Government has taken a serious note of recent increase in market prices of some of the food articles. It would take stern action, jointly with State Governments, to check all such unreasonable hike as there is enough stocks of foodgrains and other essential commodities in the country. The conference will be chaired by Union Finance Minister.
Shri Paswan said that during the proposed conference, action plan for early implementation the Nation Food Security Act will also be discussed. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) provides for distribution of highly subsidized foodgrains to the poor, but this has so far been implemented, partially or fully, in eleven states only. He said effective implementation of the Act would protect the poor from the increase in market prices of food articles, especially wheat and rice. In a letter written to Chief Ministers of those States, where NFSA is yet to be implemented, the Union Food Minister has requested action for its implementation in next three months. NFSA entitles every poor person to get at least 5 kg. foodgrains per month at highly subsidized prices.
