In consonance with the Government of India initiative to promote Indian Millets during the ‘International Year of Millets–2023’, Government sanction has been accorded on May 26, 2023 for issue of millets flour (Bajra/Jowar/Ragi in the ratio of 10:10:5 respectively) up to 25 percent of Atta/Rice authorised in the existing scales of ration to all categories of personnel dependent on Army Service Corps for drawal of rations during the current financial year.

The grains demand of a soldier is as per the calorific requirement of the individual depending on the place of duty, preference, taste of the troops & availability of the item. Native grains were demanded by troops as substitutes to Atta and Rice as per Scales of Ration and Supplies, 1967. However, items were discontinued in ibid ration scales in 1972 for troops deployed above 9,000 feet and thereafter, for all troops deployed in Peace and Field in 1974.

Based on specific Government sanction, Army has already commenced procurement of millets flour upto 25 percent of Atta and Rice authorised in the existing scale of ration for all categories of personnel dependent on Army Service Corps for drawal of rations during current financial year 2023-24. So far, 1,162 Metric Ton of millet flour has been procured.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri VK Sreekandan in Lok Sabha today.

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ABB/Savvy/Nirmit

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