In a decision that would bring smiles on the faces of poor Akhilesh Yadav Government has decided to implement Food Security Act in one go from next fiscal under which poor would get the monthly quota of wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per .
Decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here on Monday.
“The poor families in rural and urban areas will get cheap wheat and rice at the rate of Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kg respectively. Population of over 15.20 crore would be benefited after implementation of this law,” government spokesman said in a statement issued here.
Earlier the Government had decided to implement the Act in a phased manner with benefit being extended to 24 districts initially including Etawah and Kannauj. “Government has revised that decision and has now decided that this act will be implemented in one go across the state. The budgetary allocation would be made in the next fiscal,” the spokesman said.
This scheme will cover all the Antodaya and identified beneficiary families. The Antodaya card hold family would get 35 kg of food grain per month while the identified beneficiary would get 5 kg of food grain per month.
“The law will be implemented in letter and in spirit so that all the identified families and individuals get the food grain regularly,” he said,
The law enables 75 per cent of the rural population and up to 50 per cent of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. States are given the responsibility to decide on eligibility criteria based on socio-economic and caste census (SECC) data.
The central government will provide money to states and union territories if it runs low on grain as well as providing them with “assistance” towards the cost of intra-state transportation and handling of grains.
The law had clarified that in a bid to give women more authority in running their households, the oldest adult woman in each house would be considered the head of that household for the issuing of ration cards.
In another decision Government has decided to create an Innovation Fund of Rs 50 crore to promote innovations in different sectors. This fund will act as incentive for people who will create new innovations in different sectors including science and technology, art and science, education and health.
“This Rs 50 crore would be sanctioned in the next fiscal and the funds would increase as per the requirement. The government will also set up an innovation council through innovation cells,” the spokesman said adding that the government has also included unorganized sectors under the innovation fund.
The government has also decided to set up UP State Food Commission which will comprise one chairman and five members along with member secretary. The members include two women.
In another decision Government has waived of VAT on biogas operated engine, generating sets and its parts. The paint brush would also be exempted from VAT.
Government has also decided to do away with some clauses of the Revenue Act. The cabinet was briefed about some clauses in UP Revenue Act which are of British era and have become redundant with the passage of time. Some of the clauses are contradictory creating problems at village level.
“These clauses would be done away with through legislation,” spokesman said.
In another decision Government has decided to develop Jaswant Nagar in Etawah as Model tehsil. If need be laws to procure land would be relaxed. Government has already sanctioned Rs 10.65 crore for this purpose.