No change in PDS rates, says Paswan

New Delhi, May 18

The government has decided not to hike prices of foodgrains sold via public distribution system (PDS) for one more year, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday.

Foodgrains are supplied at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains via ration shops under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

“The Prime Minister has approved to keep central issue price of rice, wheat and coarse grains unchanged at the rate of Rs 3, 2 and 1 per kg, respectively, for one more year,” Paswan said.

By keeping the central issue price of foodgrains unchanged under the NFSA, the government has shown its commitment towards the well-being of depressed class, he said.

Under the NFSA, which was passed in Parliament in 2013 during the UPA regime, there is a provision for revision of the issue prices of foodgrains every three years. — PTI