Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, urges to consider 3 months extension of provision of free food grains

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to extend the provision for free food grains for at least a period of 3 months. She highlighted that the three-month-long lockdown has severely impacted the livelihood of people in both urban and rural areas. She asked the govt to extend the provision for free food grains for a period of three months and also provide temporary ration cards to all the poor households excluded from the PDS system.

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urging him to consider extending the provision for free food grains for at least a period of 3 months, till September 2020.

Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi

"Nearly 3 months since the country went into a strict lockdown millions of Indians are at risk of slipping into poverty. The adverse impact on livelihoods has led to chronic food insecurity for both our urban and rural poor," Gandhi stated in her letter.

She further added, "In light off the current situation, food entitlements must be expanded to address the hunger crisis facing some of the most vulnerable people in the country."

Government announced the provision for supply of 5 kg free food grains per person per month to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Households under the National Food Security Act from April-June 2020, in addition to the regular entitlements, at the beginning of lockdown.

The Congress leader mentioned that Government also said free food grains of 5 kg per person per month for migraine are not covered under any Central or state PDS scheme, for the month of May and June.

"The Union Government must consider extending the provision for free food grains for a further period of 3 months, that is from July to September 2020. Several States have requested for the same," Sonia Gandhi asserted.

She also appealed to the Government that since a significant number of poor households continue to be excluded from the PDS system, temporary ration card must be issued to all such households.