Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The scheme of free distribution of foodgrains to the beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), has provided a big relief to the beneficiaries during Covid-19 pandemic period.
Till May 24, 2021, the has supplied 48 LMT free foodgrains to all 36 States/ UTs. Five States/ UTs i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Telangana, have lifted full allocation for May-June 2021 while 26 States/ UTs i.e. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman Diu D&NH, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal have lifted 100% May, 2021, allocation.
To ensure smooth supply of foodgrains in the country, FCI has planned the logistics in advance. Against the lifting of allocated stocks, the same are replenished on regular basis thus maintaining adequate foodgrains in all the States/ UTs, all the time. During May 2021, FCI has already loaded 1,062 rakes i.e. average 44 rakes per day. At present, 295 LMT wheat and 597 LMT rice (total 892 LMT) foodgrains are available under the Central Pool, according to a PIB release. During the Covid pandemic period, since March 25, 2020, FCI has issued total 1,062 LMT foodgrains under various Government schemes.
As a pro poor initiative, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Government of India, is distributing free foodgrains for a period of two months (May-June 2021) @ 5kg per person per month to approx. 79.39 crore beneficiaries covered under NFSA. This allocation is in addition to regular NFSA allocation and 79.39 LMT foodgrains have to be issued under the said scheme.