The minister, who was replying to a question, also rejected the demand for rolling back the increase in the prices of rice, wheat and sugar sold under PDS.

The minister said the minimum support prices of foodgrains had been increasing for the last four years and there had been no increase in the issue prices of these commodities. This resulted in huge rise in subsidies, he said adding that the government had already exempted those living below poverty line from the recent hike.

Asked what steps the centre was taking to check the malpractices in the distribution system as the foodgrains supplied through PDS is manipulated by some influential elements with the connivance of state officials, the minister said whenever such incidents are brought to the notice of the centre, the states are asked to take suitable steps to ensure the benefit reached the intended beneficiaries.

Replying to another question, the minister said efforts are being made to increase production as well as productivity. As a result of these efforts, the foodgrain production is likely to touch 200 million tonnes, he added.