Read at : Google Alert – drought
Drought of ideas plagues food ministry?
31 Aug 2009, 0320 hrs IST, Urmi A Goswami, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The NCP-manned food ministry is yet to work out the increase in demand for foodgrain in the public distribution system (PDS) on
account of drought and deficient rainfall. Last week, officials of the food ministry made a presentation before the estimates committee of Parliament, giving details about the foodgrain situation and projections of both demand and production.
Congress members of the committee have expressed apprehension about the handling of the drought and food security issues.
“What is equally worrying is the limited quantum of food stocks that will be available if the winter crop fail to meet projection,” a Congress member of the estimates committee said. Sources said projections of foodgrain did not take into account the increase in demand due to increasing number of small and marginal farmers accessing PDS for essential commodities. Also, it did take into account the increase in offtake to service the foodgrain component of NREGA.
Congress is apprehensive about the impact of drought and price rise on its electoral fortunes in key states like Maharashtra.
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