FCI has transported 85.54 lakh tonnes of food grains during lockdown: Ram Vilas Paswan

Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 120 lakh tonnes of grains have been allocated. So far, 85.82 lakh tonnes of food grains have been transported to all states through 2931 rail racks, informed Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

New Delhi: The Food Corporation of India has transported 85.54 lakh tonne food grains to different parts of the country for feeding poor people amid lockdown, informed Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons, Paswan said, "In a fight against COVID-19, FCI is working 24X7 to help 81 crore poor people get food. After the lockdown over The Food Corporation of India has transported 85.54 lakh tonnes of foodgrains through 3055 rail racks."

"The government has decided to provide 5 kg either wheat or rice and 1 kg pulses at free of cost to 80 crore people covered under National Food Security Act for the next three months," he said.

"Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 120 lakh tonne of grains have been allocated, out of which, 85.82 lakh tonnes of food grains have been transported to all states. In such a gloomy situation, many NGOs and NGOs are running as relief centres in different parts of the country, where the poor are given food for two times," Paswan informed.

"Under the open market sale scheme, these NGOs and voluntary organizations are being given Rs 21 kg of rice and Rs 22 kg of wheat by FCI. Since May 15, these NGOs have already given 724 tonnes of wheat and 6480 tonnes of rice," he said.

The Minister said that FCI will work round the clock to make food grains available to poor people especially migrant workers who are facing massive problems due to lockdown.

"As many as 8 crore migrant labourers will be given free ration for 2 months. Those who do not have ration card will also get grain for free for the next 2 months. The migrant labourers will be given 5 kg of rice or wheat per person and 1 kg of gram pulses per family for free," Paswan added.