Pawar announces release of 25 lakh tonnes of wheat

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that the central government would release an additional quantity of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and rice to the provinces over the next six months for sale to poor people at rock bottom prices. A fixed quantity of 35 kilogram of food grains is given to each BPL (Below Poverty Line) family every month at highly subsidized price - wheat at Rs 4.15 per kilogram and rice at Rs. 5.65 per kilogram.