NEW DELHI: The FCI has sent enough stocks to states to implement PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) wherein 5 kg foodgrain per person per month for next three months has to be distributed free to all National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries, the government has said
A total of 662 rakes carrying about 18.54 Lakh MT food grains have been transported across the country till April 5. Punjab has dispatched the maximum, 8.46 LMT grains and 302 rakes followed by Haryana 3.22 LMT in 115 rakes, between March 24 and April 6. Many states like UP, Bihar, Telangana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Mizoram have already started lifting foodgrains from FCI under this scheme.
Since March 24 when the lockdown was announced to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, FCI moved an average of 1.41 lakh MT foodgrain per day as against the pre-lockdown daily average of about 0.8 lakh MT, officials said responding to criticism.
In addition to meeting the regular requirements of food grains under NFSA and additional allocation under PMGKAY, FCI is providing wheat and rice directly to State governments without going through the e-auction route, at Open Market sale rates to ensure continuous supply of food grains.
Wheat is given for meeting the requirements of manufacturers of wheat flour and other wheat products based on the assessment of requirements done by the respective District Magistrates.