The Hindu Business Line : Cabinet okays issuing special securities to FCI in lieu of dues

Briefing newspersons, the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, said the initial estimates of the outstanding dues could be about Rs 16,000 crore, but the final number has to be worked out.

The issue of special securities would require a nod from Parliament.

According to an FCI official, "The corporation may be able to recover about Rs 16,000-crore dues from the Ministry of Rural Development that had accumulated during the last few years.

The dues had accumulated owing to foodgrain procurement for several welfare schemes."

Commodity prices

The Cabinet Committee on Prices today also reviewed the prices of wheat, sugar and potato.

"The inflation is moderate. The prices of these three are on the higher side but are moderating," said Mr Chidambaram. On wheat, he said that the price is moderating in the North and it is expected to do so in the South as well, once the five-lakh tonnes of imported wheat arrives.

Also, the Agriculture Ministry has indicated that the recent rains in the North will not damage the crop or affect the output.

On sugar, the Finance Minister said both the international and domestic prices are high. The Agriculture Ministry is taking steps to convert free sale sugar to levy sugar. The sugar production is also expected to be high.

Six more AIIMS

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Yojna for setting up and establishing six AIIMS-like institutions in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal.

Each hospital will have 850 beds and offer treatment in 39 speciality and super speciality disciplines.

Mr Chidambaram said that the total project cost is estimated to be about Rs 1,992 crore, with a recurring cost of Rs 700 crore per annum.

"A Group of Ministers would be constituted to look into the funding and the usage of the institutions," he added.

Along with this, in-principle approval has also been given to upgrade 11 existing institutions in 10 States.

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