GUWAHATI: “There is leakage in the public distribution system (PDS) in the Northeast. But it is the responsibility of the governments of the States concerned to check the leakage in PDS. The Central Government has no role to play in this, it only provides the PDS items to the States. Of course, PDS pilferage has reduced in recent times primarily because of the fact that the system has been computerized by issuing biometric cards to the beneficiaries,” said Prof KV Thomas, Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution while addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday. The Union Minister chaired a meeting of Food Ministers and Food Secretaries of northeastern States (except Sikkim) here.The meeting was called to review the food and public distribution system of northeastern States with particular reference to availability of foodgrains and augmenting the storage facilities in the Northeast. The meeting was attended by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Assam Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dr Nazrul Islam, Assam Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka, Mizoram Food and Civil Supplies Minister H Rolhuna and senior officials of other States. In the press conference after the review meeting, Prof KV Thomas further said, “The focus of the government has always been to ensure availability of foodgrains at reasonable prices, especially to the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society. While allocation of foodgrains for BPL families is made at 35kg per family every month and for APL families it differs from 15 kg to 35 kg per family in various States, in northeastern States the monthly APL allocation is 35kg per family as a special case. During the current year, an additional allocation of 10 million tons of rice and wheat for BPL and APL families has been made at subsidized BPL and APL prices.” The Minister said that the Planning Commission had approved a proposal for construction of 39 storage godowns across the Northeast. The cost of construction of these godowns, which will be borne by the Central Government, has been estimated at Rs 568 crore. Out of the 39 storage godowns, 12 will be constructed in Assam and these godowns will have the capacity to store 2.90 lakh tonnes of foodgrains. On the Look-East Policy, Thomas said, “The Northeast is the corner-stone of the Union Government’s Look-East Policy and the government has taken up various schemes for all-round development of this region which is rich in natural resources.” He added, “Paddy production in Assam has increased of late. The Assam Government has appealed to FCI to start procurement of paddy from farmers under the Decentralized Procurement System (DCP) as this can lead to better ensuring of provision of minimum support price to farmers. In this regard there will be discussion between officers of the State and Central governments soon.”