New Delhi, May 10 : In the fight against Covid 19 pandemic, Govt. of India has announced one of the most important initiatives called Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) that provides free food grains to the needy population.Government of India through
FCI is ensure that no one suffers on account of non-availability of food grains due to disruption/lockdown. Under the scheme, about 10.91 Lakh Quintals of food grains have been allocated for 71 Lakhs beneficiaries of Delhi in addition to the regular allotment under NFSA so that vulnerable sections of society are not affected by the pandemic due to shortage of foodgrains.Government of India has ensured that all under NFSA gets double their usual allocation during three months of April, May and June 2020.
Govt. of India is incurring an expenditure of about Rs. 329crores for 10.9 Lakh Quintals of foodgrains allocated for Delhi, covering the cost of food grains, costs of its procurement, storage and transportation as well as distribution upto the point of delivery to the intended beneficiaries at the fair price shop (FPS). This entire food support scheme is implemented by government of India without any financial burden on the State Governments.There has been positive response from Delhi State against this scheme and Delhi government has so far lifted 3.55 Lakh Quintals of food grains valued at Rs. 109Crores under this scheme upto 07.05.2020.
Government of India through FCI has also allowed Delhi government to lift the quantity allocated under NFSA for the period of April, May and June, 2020,i.e., 10.9 lakh Quintals on credit basis so that the supply of food grains to the intended beneficiaries are uninterrupted.Also, 1.5 Lakh Quintals of foodgrains have also been allocated to State Govt. for their various schemes under OMSS Scheme (Domestic) without participation in e-auction.
General Manager, Food Corporporation of India, Delhi Region, ShriSudhir Kumar has stated that through various measures, Government of India is ensuring adequate availability of food grains in Delhi state, especially to the poor families and also emphasized that Government is having sufficient stocks to fulfill all the requirement for the people of Delhi. All the FCI depots of Delhi Region have been fully functional throughout the lockdown with more than 325 Officers/Staffs and over 750 laboursworking beyond normal hours and even on Holiday/Junta Curfew day to ensure that foodgrains reach to the poor people. FCI is also grateful to State Govt./ DSCSC for the smooth and timely distribution of foodgrains to the beneficiaries of Delhi State.
