ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 67
procurement is linked to purchase and support prices and distribution is made at as more
of less uniform prices throughout. The system has also helped to provide a nutritious diet
at a low-budget to the common man. Moreover, this system has acted as an effective
establishing factor in India’s Social Life by providing a steady supply of essential commodities
at reasonable prices.
Pressured on the Public Distribution System continued, during the year due to higher
prices of essential commodities in the open market. Total allocations of Rice and Wheat
(including under PD, JRY Nutritional programme, etc.) during 1990-91 and 95.47 lakh tones
respectively as against 85.26 and 93.09 lakh tones respectively in the previous year.
With a view to control sugar prices and ensure its availability as reasonability at
reasonable rates to consumers, the Government took a number of measures including increase
of Sugar (both free sale Levy Sugar) from 9.32 lakh tones in August, 1990 to 10.07 lakh
tones per month in September on October, 1990.
In view of increased demand and reduction in the production of Indigenous Edible Oils
due to delayed rainfall in Gujarat, total allocations of imported Edible Oils during 1990 were
at the level of 6.52 lakh tones as against 3.91 lakh tones in the corresponding period in 1989,
showing an increase of 66.5 per cent. The lifting by state/Uts against the allocation during
1990 was 5.21 as against 3.27 during 1989.
The Public Distribution System continued to be a major component of our strategy for
growth with social justice. The Centre, states and union territories have a joint responsibility
in making this system a success. The working of this system is periodically reviewed in
consolation with state government and corrective measures taken. At the Centre, an Advisory
Council functions to review its working from time to time. In the states/Uts Consumer
Advisor Committee at District, Block and Taluka Levels oversee the working of the Fair
Price Shops. The network of Fair Price Shops has been expanding over the years and in
the last five years their number increased from 3.02 lakh (March, 1984) to 3.61 lakh (March,
1990). Special emphasis is being laid in opening of Fair Price Shops in remote, far-flung and
inaccessible areas, particularly covering tribal population. With a view to ensuring that the
essential commodities reach the farthest corners in hilly and inaccessible areas, the
Government continued to provide financial assistance to states/Uts enabling them to purchase
mobile vans. Such assistance was worth Rs. 144.50 lakh for purchase of 58 vans in 1990-91.
Government procures and supplies six essential commodities, viz., rice, Wheat Sugar,
Imported Edible Oils, Kerosene and Soft Coke. States/Uts are free to include any other
commodity of mass consumption by arranging for its procurement on their own. Some states
have arranged supplies of Pulses, Vanaspati, Soaps, cycle types and tubes, torch cells etc.
through Fair Price Shops.
- Economic aspect of food problem
The price of foodgrains is soaring high while income has no proportionate
increase. Hence poor people are unable to avail two meals a day. Some illustrations are as
under:
(i) Cereals
Prince of Cereals, particularly Rice and Wheat, rose sharply towards the end of the
third quarter of 1990-91. In additional to increased allocations of these commodities through