Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

278 LMT foodgrains allocated to 80 crore beneficiaries in 7 months

July 28, 2021

The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution,  Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti informed the Lok Sabha that during the year 2021 for the period of 7 months starting from May-November, 2021 about 278 LMT foodgrains was allocated free of cost to approximately 80 crores NFSA beneficiaries under PMGKAY. Similarly, about 322 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) of food-grains had been allocated to approx. 80 crore beneficiaries during the period of 8 months i.e April-November in 2020. Among all states, Uttar Pradesh received the highest allocation of over 30 lakh metric tonnes.

In pursuance of the pro-poor measures under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package as part of the economic response to COVID -19, Govt of India had launched scheme i.e Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana(PMGKAY) for additional allocation of food-grains from the central pool free of cost per month for all the beneficiaries covered under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/National Food Security Act(NFSA) (Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) & Priority Households(PHH)) including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The Minister also informed that during the COVID-19 pandemic year 2020-21 and 2021-22 under a total of nearly 600.814 lakh tons of food grains was allocated. Out of this allocation, nearly 400.703 lakh tons have been lifted (released) as on July 14, 2021. She informed the total stock of foodgrains in the central pool as of July 1, 2021 was 900.45 lakh tons consisting of 603.56 lakh of wheat and 296.89 lakh tons of rice.

For transparent distribution of food grains and rightful targeting under NFSA, nearly 4.96 lakh e-PoS devices have been installed, out of a total of nearly 5.38 lakh FPS, all over the country, through Aadhar authentication. In this regard, transaction details are available in the public domain. Further, whenever e-PoS device is not available or not working at FPS, this Department has advised all States/UTs to distribute the subsidized/free food grains in the presence of Government official/Staff.