XI LOK SABHA DEBATES,   Session V (Monsoon) 

Thursday, August 07/Shravana 16, 1919 (Saka)



Type of Debate:	SPECIAL MENTION

Title:	Demand to enhance the allocation of foodgrains for the State of
Kerala.

TEXT :
 SHRI  S. AJAY KUMAR (OTTAPULAM): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I rise to request, through
you, the hon. Minister of Food and Civil Supplies to enhance the allocation of
foodgrains from 17.76 lakh tonnes to 24 lakh tonnes,  which  used  to  be  the
allocation for the State of Kerala for the last several years.

	The present allocation of 17.76 lakh tonnes of foodgrains  is  in  the
form of 14.76 lakh tonnes rice and three lakh tonnes wheat. Since the State of
Kerala  requires more rice, I demand that seven lakh tonnes of additional rice
should be made available to the State at Central Issue Price.



SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN Sir, I want to support what Shri Ajay Kumar  has
said just  now.  This is a major issue because there is shortage of foodgrains
in the State of  Kerala.    There  is  considerable  reduction  of  supply  of
foodgrains under  the  Targeted  Public Distribution System this year.  We all
know that the State of Kerala is reeling  under  flood  and  this  devastating
flood has  affected  the  State  to a great extent.  Onam is fast approaching.
During the last two years, twenty thousand  tonnes  of  additional  foodgrains
were allotted  to  the  State.   My request is that this should be enhanced to
fifty thousand tonnes this year as the Onam season is fast approaching.




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