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229Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: You may ask that after he completes.SHRI P. RAJEEVE: Sir, the statutory ration system was introduced in1967. At that time, Mr. Minister, no records were there. Regarding theother point about the off-take, at that time the price in the open marketwas lesser than the APL price. That off-take is less. Now, the price isvery high. So, we are compelled to have it at the APL price.SHRI SHARAD PAWAR: The point is that the concept of statutory rationis not there now; it was abandoned by the Government of India longback. The Government of India took a conscious decision to introduce'targeted public distribution'. 'Targeted public distribution' means, wewant to target that section which is really affected, poor and vulnerable.This decision was taken ten years back, and that is continuing eventoday. (Interruptions) Some decision might have been taken in 1948-49.But these days, we have factors like population, availability etc. andtoday's position is vastly different. That is why, a different decision hasbeen taken and that decision has been implemented in this country.SHRI A. VIJAYARAGHAVAN (KERALA): At least, increase the APLrice...(Interruptions)...SHRI SHARAD PAWAR: The only question is that of availability. If thereis availability, I would be definitely happy to enhance it, not only forKerala but for other States also. I don't want to say anything more.About edible oil, certain decisions have been taken, and I have alreadyexplained that. Now, another important issue was discussed here, aboutsugar. Hon. Member, Shri Javadekar, said that I had talked aboutavailability of sugar last year, only a few months back. That is true. Inthe last two seasons production of sugar in this country was