Will Centre extend free foodgrains scheme beyond Sept or let it fade away?

Drawdown in wheat stocks, fear of fall in rice production raise doubts on scheme's sustenance beyond Sept 30 deadline

A sharp drawdown in India’s wheat inventory, exacerbated by a fear of a fall in rice production due to drought-like conditions in the main growing states, has raised questions on the government’s ability to sustain the free foodgrain distribution scheme beyond its current deadline of September 30.

The drawdown in wheat stocks due to low production and strong procurement by private agencies could have led to some savings in expenditure.

Whether the savings will be enough to cover the extra expenditure on extending the free foodgrain schemes beyond September is a big question.

Moreover, does the country have enough wheat