AGARTALA, July 22 (TIWN): A cabinet meeting today resolved to introduce the Food Security Act in the state from October this year. The central government recently approved a three month's extension to Tripura for introducing the central Act starting July 04, Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha said here today. Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here today, the minister said that the state government would be introducing the Food Security act by covering an additional 1 lakh 59 thousand families under the PDS. 4,56,787 families were covered under public distribution system beforehand.

Saha added that APL consumers would have a reduced foodgrain allocation of 20 kg per head from 22 kg per head according to the new Act. The new arrangement would continue till formal introduction of the Food Security Act.

74.75 percent PDS consumers would be covered under the ration benefits in rural areas in the FSA regime; 49.5 percent consumers would be covered in the urban areas, Finance Minister Saha said.

Asked about the possible rate of foodgrains in the new system, Saha said that the subsidized price of foodgrains for erstwhile BPL consumers, who would be considered as AAY and priority grouos, would continue to be Rs. 2 per kg.

 The state government would be giving a subsidy of Re. 1 per kg with an annual financial involvement of Rs. 17 crores, the cabinet resolved. A detailed guideline of beneficiaries under the new system would be distributed to PRI bodies by the next few days, Finance Minister Saha said today.