Agartala, Oct 1 (TIWN): National Food Security Act will deprive one third of the country’s population approximately 40 crores of people, said Food Minister Bhanulal Saha. He was addressing at the Food Minister’s Conference on the National Food Security Act at New Delhi on Tuesday.

   The minister said universal public distribution system at a lower rate with sufficient quantity of food grains can only ensure food security to all. “The state government demands, supply of 35 kg of cereals per family at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. TPDS idea should be dropped” Mr.Saha added.

   He remarked that progressive reforms in TPDS by introducing scheme such as cash Transfer. Food Coupons etc in future will be a serious threat to the food security system. The minister said,” Food security allowance by the state government in case of failure to supply food grains is a dangerous proposition and it is not desirable”

      In address Mr. Saha proposed that the price for foodgrains of non TPDS category of beneficiaries should be less than the present rate of APL price. He said that food security does not mean mere supply of cereals only. It should be include supply of pulses and edible oils to have balanced nutritious meal daily.

      Regarding supply of sugar he sad  that  by FCI from June, 2013 has been discontinued and direction for procurement of sugar from market by states is a major departure of the Union government  from the prevailing system of supplying sugar by levying sugar from sugar mills. The new system has forced the states to bear additional burden of matching grant by states.