The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday gave nod to amendments to the National Food Security Bill, 2013, which would ensure that states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa continue to get additional grains at above poverty line (APL) rates.
This implies that states, whose annual allocation of grains was to be reduced as per the food law, will continue to get an extra allocation of grains at the existing APL rate of Rs 8.30 per kg for rice and Rs 6.10 per kg for wheat.
?Through this crucial amendments, we have ensured that states are not deprived of additional allocation of foodgrains under the food security legislation,? a food ministry official told FE.
DTC Bill not taken up by Cabinet
The Union Cabinet on Thursday deferred a decision on the amendments proposed to the much awaited direct taxes code (DTC) Bill of 2010 which seeks to overhaul the over 50-year-old income-tax law. The amendments moved by the finance ministry include minor rejigs in the original draft, especially in the income-tax slabs. A senior official, requesting anonymity, said, ?The Cabinet decided to take a re-look at the Bill. So, it was not taken up.?
