New Delhi : Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution asserted that foodgrain at subsidized prices is  being allocated for welfare and development of weaker sections of  society to ensure adequate standards of nutrition in Welfare Institutions and SC/ST/OBC Hostels. Shri Paswan chaired the meeting of Food Secretaries of States/UTs to discuss execution of Welfare Institutions  and Hostels Schemes today in New Delhi.

Shri Paswan stated that Government of India has revamped its scheme for additional allocation of foodgrain to ensure adequate standards of nutrition in such institutions with a view to meet the requirement of Welfare Institutions such as Beggar Homes, Nari-niketans and other similar welfare institutions sponsored by State Governments/UT Administrations, that are not covered under Targeted Public Distribution System or under any other Welfare Scheme; and also for residents of SC/ST/OBC Hostels.

Shri Paswan informed that as per the schematic guidelines, the hostels with atleast 2/3rd of the resident students belonging to SC/ST/OBC community are eligible to get subsidized foodgrain for all the resident students, including those who belong to other categories.  The Central Issue Price of foodgrain under the scheme is fixed at BPL rates.

The Food Minister further stated that the scale of issue of wheat and rice (ratio to be decided on the basis of food habits in different areas) is as per the nutrition requirement of the residents, subject to a maximum of 15 kg per resident per month.