Ker seeks higher allocation of rice and foodgrains

Kerala today sought higher allocation of rice and other foodgrains from the Centre keeping in view the state's socio-economic peculiarities.

The plea was made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a letter to Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

He said the state's share of foodgrains had decreased due to implementation of the National Food Security Act.

Kerala was a state deficient in foodgrains. The rice being produced in the state was not sufficient even to meet 10 per cent of the demand, which is why it had been dependent on the central share, the Chief Minister said.

The state has about 35 lakh migrant workers. As per new rules, they were also entitled for ration quota, Vijayan said adding when the state's share was being computed, this was not taken into consideration.

Stating that Kerala was taking all measures to implement the National Food Security Act, he said any step which will adversely affect the Public distribution system in the state, should not be taken.

Until a just share was decided for the state, Kerala should continue to get higher allocation, the Chief Minister said adding for those in the above poverty line category, the share with subsidy should continue.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)