New Delhi, Mar 17: Eight states, including Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Punjab, have sought additional foodgrain from the Centre to feed their increasing BPL population, which is in contrast to the Centre's claim that the number of people under this category has declined by 8.5 per cent.

"A number of state governments have requested to enhance allocation of foodgrain to their states on the basis of the higher number of BPL cards issued by them," Food Minister Sharad Pawar said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

According to the list, Bihar, Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu have requested the Centre to increase allocation of foodgrain for BPL families.

While Bihar has requested allocation of foodgrain for 1.21 crore BPL families, the Centre says only 65.23 lakh families are covered under BPL in the state. Similarly, Karnataka wants foodgrains for 63 lakh BPL families, but the Centre pegs the number at 31.29 lakh.

According to Planning Commission, the percentage of BPL population has come down to 27.5 per cent in 2004-05 from 36 per cent in 1993-94. However, the Centre continues to allocate foodgrain on 1993-94 estimate and there has been no reduction in the PDS subsidised kerosene oil after 2004-05, he said.

Pawar also said 18 states have issued ration cards within limits accepted by the Centre while 17 states exceeded it.

In a separate reply, the Food Minister said high global prices and tight supply position would make foodgrain import difficult and costly. International prices of cereals have increased substantially in the past year, he added.

However, to moderate prices and contain inflation, Pawar said the government has initiated various steps like importing wheat, restricting export of wheat and rice, and duty reduction on imported edible oils.