File photo: Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan
New Delhi: The government will roll out its multi-billion dollar food welfare plan by December, the Food Minister said, allowing 67 per cent of its 1.2 billion people access to cheap rice and wheat.
The previous government approved the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in August 2013. The country's 29 states and seven union territories had to implement it within a year.
After missing several deadlines, only 11 states could introduce the plan and the rest sought more time.
"Finally most states have agreed to implement the NFSA by December, after the latest deadline ends in September," Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters after meeting his counterparts from states on Tuesday.
In his February Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earmarked Rs 1.24 lakh crore ($20.11 billion) for food subsidies.
The previous government approved the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in August 2013. The country's 29 states and seven union territories had to implement it within a year.
After missing several deadlines, only 11 states could introduce the plan and the rest sought more time.
"Finally most states have agreed to implement the NFSA by December, after the latest deadline ends in September," Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters after meeting his counterparts from states on Tuesday.
In his February Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earmarked Rs 1.24 lakh crore ($20.11 billion) for food subsidies.
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