SAMBA: Amid the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the district administration Samba has started allocating free-of-cost food grains @ 5 kg per person per month to nearly 1.58 lakh beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) over and above NFSA foodgrains for next two months i.e. May and June, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY).
The corona restrictions imposed to protect the citizens at large. But it has also amplified the hardships of the marginalized section of society earning their livelihood on a daily basis as avenues are shrinking and it’s becoming difficult to feed the family. A source of hope, PM-GKAY has emerged as a saviour for lakhs of people locked in home without work.
Ashwin Kumar, resident of Nud block, – a daily wage worker with a contractor, said he has received 5kg free food grains under PM-GKAY which is a boon as he is left with no source of income. “All village youth are without work. The food grains will save us from starving” added the beneficiary.
The officials said that under this special scheme (PM-GKAY), around 41 thousand NFSA beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA, namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Householders (PHH), will be provided an additional quota of free-of-cost foodgrains (Rice/Wheat) at a scale of 5 Kg per person per month, over and above their regular monthly entitlements under NFSA. “125 PDS shops, sale depot, in district Samba are operating normally across the week and even on holidays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, informed AD FCS&CA Samba. “In district Samba there are approx 41 thousand ration card holders under which 1.58 lakh eligible beneficiaries are being benefitted under PMGKAY scheme” added the Assistant Director FCS&CA Samba.
Another beneficiary, Laxmi Devi of Purani Gali, Samba said an additional 5kg free ration for per person is a ray of hope amid this pandemic. “My family members are without work but having food grains in house helps you not sleep empty stomach”
Babu Ram from Dunai said he is thankful to the government and district administration for providing free ration.
Seema Devi of Samba district, Surinder Kumar of Ghagwal and Rimpi Sharma of Samba also thanked PM for providing them free ration amidst covid curfew. They appealed to the district administration Samba to continue their efforts to provide free ration to them as it is their only hope in this corona pandemic.