-- Parliament Digest, NCAS

As per the third advance estimates of production of food grains released on June 3, 2004, the total production of food grains is estimated at 210.78 million tones, 9.22 million tonnes less than the targeted production of 220 million tonnes. During 2003-2004, although the rain fall at the all-India level was 102 % of the long period average, a number of districts/regions in the country, especially those in States with a relatively higher yield, like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, were affected by drought.

Stock and Distribution of  Food Grains:
In year 2004 the total stock of food grains was 20 million tonnes, while the details of allotment of food grains to BPL families was 27 million tonnes.

Smart Card System:
The tenth five year plan working group on the Public Distribution System (PDS) and food security had recommended the introduction of a smart card system in the form of credit/debit card instead of the existing PDS ration cards in the country. Based on the recommendations by working group, the Pilot Project on the implementation of Smart Cards in PDS has been renamed as Food Credit Cards in PDS. The scheme is being implemented on a trial basis in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal and Kerela.  

Antyodaya Yojana:
12.4 million families nationally and 1.4 million families in Maharashtra alone benefited under the Antodaya Anna Yojana during 2004.  

Distribution of Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ration Cards:
At present, the Planning Commission is using per capita consumption expenditure as the yardstick to assess a person living below the poverty line. The per capita consumption norm at 1973-1974 prices has been fixed at Rs. 49.09 per month (US $ 1.20) in rural areas and Rs. 56.64 per month (US$ 1.30) in urban areas at 1973-74 prices. In 1999-2000 prices were Rs. 327.56 (US.80) per capita per month in rural areas and Rs. 454.11 (US.80) per capita per month in urban areas.  

The BPL census in 1992 identified 52.49% of total rural families living below poverty line whereas the number of such families identified under BPL Census 1997 was 41.05% of the rural families. Besides providing employment to the rural poor, rural infrastructure was also created through these programmes. While the Planning Commission makes estimates of the number and proportion of the rural poor, the BPL Census is conducted to identify the rural poor households.  

Mid Day Meal Scheme:
The mid-day meal scheme is being implemented for children studying in primary classes in government, local and government aided schools. During 2003-2004 about 10.57 crore (10 million) children benefited from this programme. In 2003-2004, about 1375.00 crores were spent under the Mid-day meal scheme as compared to 1030.27 crores in 2001-2002.