Food Security Act to be adopted by 90% states by June: Ram Vilas Paswan

The Food Security Act will be adopted by 90% of the states by June this year, Union Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution minister Ram Vilas Paswan informed on Friday.

"Currently, some 11 states had adopted the Food Security Act and by June, 90% of the states will adopt it," he said. West Bengal has begun implementing the Act by introducing it in South Dinajpur district and it will shortly be extended to Coochbehar and North Dinajpur district, West Bengal Food Minister Jyotipriya Mullick told PTI.

"We will cover the entire state by October 31," he added. Mullick said the state will be able to cover only 6.1 crore of its 9.1 crore population under the subsidised food programme.

"We had asked for universal food security which is not offered. The Centre is not providing enough resources to create more godowns required," he said. Food Security Act ensures food to poor at very low price and Paswan claimed that under the scheme, the food grains are available at a price lower than the current prices offered to BPL families.