Allocation of APL rice during 2008-09 was made to States/UTs including Kerala on the basis of average of offtake level during 2006-07 and 2007-08. However, allocations of wheat under this category were maintained at the level of 2007-08. Accordingly, 2.05 lakh tons of rice were initially allocated last year.
Considering various representations from the State Chief Minister, Food Minister and other leaders from the State, adhoc/ additional/ festival allocation of 1.46 lakh tons of APL rice and 0.20 lakh tons of APL wheat were made to Kerala during 2008-09. The annual APL rice allocation to Kerala was thus 3.51 lakh tons as against previous year’s allocation of 3.07 lakh tons and offtake of 2.94 lakh tons. Besides, 60,000 tons of wheat were also allocated under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) for sale to retail consumers.
For 2009-10, adhoc additional allocation of 19,000 tons of APL rice per month has been continued till March 2010 over and above existing monthly allocation of 17056 tons of rice under this category. Thus, the total allocation of APL rice has been substantially increased during the current year to 4.33 lakh tons as compared to last year’s allocation of 3.51 lakh tons. The State is also being made normal monthly allocation of 11777 tons of wheat per month for this category.
As per the current allocation policy, over and above the already issued APL allocations, any additional allocation of APL rice can be considered at applicable economic cost and of wheat at MSP based issue price of Rs. 10800 per ton. The State Government may accordingly send a request for such allocation.
MOS, Prof. K. V. Thomas has, at the outset nominated Shri G.C. Pati, IAS, Additional Secretary (Agriculture) to coordinate the activities of Kuttanadu Wetland Eco-System and Idukki Package and attend meetings as Government of India representative in the Committees chaired by Chief Minister and Chief Secretary. This would quicken the process of implementation, after all, the proof of pudding is in eating.
