In accordance with the Indian government’s initiative to promote Indian millet during the International Millet Year – 2023, a government sanction was granted on 26 May 2023 for the issue of millet flour (Bajra/Jowar/Ragi in report of 10:10:5 respectively) up to 25 percent Atta/Rice authorized in existing rationing scales to all categories of Army Service Corps personnel for ration pick-up during the current exercise.
A soldier’s demand for grain depends on the individual’s caloric needs depending on the location of service, preferences, the troops’ taste, and the availability of the item. Native grains were required by troops as a substitute for Atta and Rice according to Scales of Ration and Supplies, 1967. However, the items were discontinued in the ibid ration scales in 1972 for troops deployed above 9,000 feet and thereafter for all troops deployed to Peace and Field in 1974.
Under a specific government sanction, the Army has already initiated the procurement of millet flour up to the authorized 25 percent of Atta and Rice in the existing ration scale for all categories of Army Service Corps employees to the withdrawal of rations during the current financial year 2023-24. So far, 1,162 tons of millet flour have been purchased.
This information was given today by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri VK Sreekandan at Lok Sabha.
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ABB/Savvy/Nirmit