allocation made to FCI in lieu of subsidy. It has
been reduced to zero for 2021-22.
As on March 31, 2020, NSSF loans’ outstanding
amount lying with FCI was ₹ 2,54,600 crore.
SOURCE: UNION BUDGET DOCUMENTS
High drawal rate
During the three years, the quantity of food grains drawn by States (annually) hovered around 60 million tonnes to 66 million tonnes. Compared to the allocation, the rate of drawal was 91% to 95%. As the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which came into force in July 2013, enhanced entitlements (covering two-thirds of the country’s population), this naturally pushed up the States’ drawal. Based on an improved version of the targeted Public Distribution System (PDS), the law requires the authorities to provide to each beneficiary 5 kg of rice or wheat per month.