10/06/2008 (Zee News), New Delhi - The Centre may start supplying edible oils through ration shops in at least three states -- Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu -- from this month, as part of its measures to give relief to the common man from rising prices.

The government would supply one litre of cooking oil to each family covered under below poverty line and Antyodaya Anna Yojana Scheme of the Public Distribution System (PDS) at subsidised rates.

The centre would provide a subsidy of Rs 15 a litre for this programme.

The government has entrusted state-owned trading agencies MMTC, STC, PEC and co-operative major Nafed with the task to import one million tonne of edible oil to meet PDS requirement.

These agencies have already contracted to import 1.72 lakh tonne from global suppliers, sources said.

STC has contracted to import 46,000 tons, while PEC 85,000 tons, MMTC 17,000 tons and Nafed 24,000 tons, sources said, adding majority of the quantity contracted are RBD Palmolein.

"These agencies have been asked to import RBD Palmolein as government intended to start supplying cooking oil under PDS at the earliest," a senior official said.

RBD Palmolein is a refined oil and cane be directly distributed to consumers after packing here unlike Crude Palm Oil (CPO) that needs to be refined.

Apart from RBD Palmolein, these agencies are importing crude Soyabean oil, which will be refined and then supplied under PDS.