With the State Food and Civil Supplies Department claiming that it was prepared to implement the National Food Security Scheme (NFSS) in Meghalaya the onus of implementing the ambitious scheme now rests with the State Cabinet. The scheme aims at providing rice and wheat at the rate of Rs.3 and Rs.2 per kg respectively to the identified beneficiaries who will avail 5 kg of food grains per head per month. Principal Secretary in charge of Food and Civil Supplies, P.W. Ingty, informed reporters on Tuesday that the department was ready with the details to be placed before the State Cabinet. “We are prepared to implement the scheme at any time and a final decision will be taken shortly by the cabinet,” Ingty said. The Food and Civil Supplies Department took some time to finalise the scheme due to the delay in the preparation of the Socio-Economic Caste Census. The percentage of beneficiaries identified under the scheme in the rural areas is 77.79 while in urban areas it is 50.87. The scheme will benefit 18,45,631 beneficiaries in rural areas and 3,03,464 beneficiaries in urban areas of Meghalaya. The financial implication of the scheme will be Rs.3.28 crore per month, the State’s share being 25% of the total. East Khasi Hills District will have the maximum number of beneficiaries with 1,86,439 while North Garo Hills District will have the least number of 6694 beneficiaries.