8.00 LMT food grains allocated to States/UTs under 'Self-Reliant India' Package: Paswan

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan had a meeting with Zonal Executive Directors of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and all General Managers through video conference. In the meeting, he reviewed the implementation and progress of the schemes being run by the central government during the Corona crisis.

New Delhi: The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday said that the central government has allocated 8.00 LMT food grains to the States / Union Territories under the Self-reliant India Package.

The Minister had a meeting with Zonal Executive Directors of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and all General Managers through video conference. In the meeting, he reviewed the implementation and progress of the schemes being run by the central government during the Corona crisis.

Discussing with the Executive Directors and General Managers of FCI, Paswan said," The Central Government has allocated 8.00 LMT ((2.44 LMT wheat and 5.56 LMT rice) food grains to 37 states/union territories for May and June. Till May 27, 2.06 LMT foodgrains have been allocated to the States/UTs."

He has also directed the FCI to coordinate with the State/ Union Territory Governments and expedite the allocation of food grains.

While discussing Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Paswan said," 120.04 LMT food grains (15.65 LMT wheat and 104.4 LMT rice) have been allocated to 37 states/union territories for April, May, and June. As of May 27, 95.80 LMT food grains (15.6 LMT wheat and 83.38 LMT rice) have been transported to the States / Union Territories."

Notably, five crore rice or wheat and one kg of pulses are being given free of cost to 81 crore people under the National Food Security Scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

"100 LT food grains have been sent through rail racks and 12 LT food grains have been sent to the States / Union Territories via road. 12 thousand Tonnes of food grains have been sent by water route through 12 Ships. 9.61 LMT food grains have been sent to the northeastern states. At present there are 751.69 LMT food grains in the Central Pool, which contains 479.40 LMT wheat and 272.29 LMT rice," Paswan informed.

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.

Reportedly, 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.