Plan panel rejects NAC proposal on food bill

 The Planning Commission, headed by its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, in its suggestion to the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs on the proposed Bill is understood to have expressed apprehension that if the NAC recommendations were implemented through an Act, the government would have to procure more foodgrains from farmers which would ultimately trigger a price rice in the open market.

While agreeing to give Rs 35 kg of foodgrains per BPL family, the commission said the scheme would cover the existing around 5.6 crore BPL families in the country.

If the recommendations of the NAC are implemented, the government will have to increase its procurement by around 20 million tonnes from the existing 53.97 million tonnes.