Offtake from the public distribution system registered an increased of nearly 5.2 million tonnes during the fiscal year 2002-03, said Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sharad Yadav on Wednesday.

"The PDS offtake increased from 13.8 million tonnes in 2001-2002 to around 19.0 million tonnes during 2002-03. This is the highest PDS offtake since the introduction of 'targeted public distribution system' in June 1997," Yadav said.

He claimed that the offtake by the below poverty line families had also increased from 11.7 million tonnes in 2001-2002 to 16.0 million tonnes during 2002-2003 (including offtake under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana).

"The offtake under BPL now constitutes as much as 80 per cent of the total PDS offtake, which shows that TDPS has been successful in achieving its objective of 'focus on the poor.' Out of the total food subsidy, food subsidy for BPL families and AAY families also increased from Rs 4,500 crore (Rs 45 billion) in 2000-2001 to around Rs 9,000 crore (Rs 90 billion) during 2002-2003," said Yadav.

He said that 6.340 million tonnes of foodgrain was allocated under the special component of Sampoorna Gramin Rozgaar Yojana, while 4.2 million tonnes were allocated under SGRY (normal).

Speaking about the availability of edible oils in the country, Yadav said that the production of 9 cultivated oilseeds was estimated to be 15.57 million tonnes in 2002-2003.