Taka 2,443 cr for food sector proposed

The government has earmarked Taka 2,443 crore for the food sector as the government has a plan to launch food distribution programme for poor families living both in rural and urban areas.

Under the proposed budget, Taka 943 crore more has been allocated in the proposed budget as the actual outlay for the food sector was Taka 1,500 crore in revised budget of 2015-16.

Out of the total outlay for the food sector ---Taka 2,003 crore earmarked for non-development and Taka 440 crore for development expenditure.

Talking at the proposed budget session, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said "steps are being taken to introduce rural rationing programme in the place of TR (Test Relief) and VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) programmes.

Under this programme, instead of distributing foodgrain, initiatives will be taken to ensure universal food security, he said.

Presently, around 50 lakh hardcore poor families receive food assistance. This activity will continue under the new system. 

At the same time, he said steps will be taken to distribute food among the hardcore poor families living in metropolitan and other cities. 

Hopefully, the number of these families will decline gradually, the minister added. 

Besides, the finance minister said in his budget address that, "We have placed emphasis on improving the system of food procurement, storage and processing, saying that minimum closing stock of food grains (rice and wheat) for the FY 2016-17 has been fixed at 13.25 lakh metric tons, which will be raised further."

Source: BSS.