Covid-19: Union Cabinet approved additional foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries

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• May 5, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: To help the underprivileged section of the Country the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the allocation of additional foodgrains to National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (Phase III) for a period of two months i.e, May and June 2021.

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The official release said, “The allocation of additional food-grain free of cost to approximately 79.88 crore individuals under TPDS @ 5 kg per person per month for two months i.e, May to June 2021 would entail an estimated food subsidy of Rs. 25332.92 crore taking the estimated Economic cost of Rs. 36789.2/MT for rice and Rs. 25731.4/MT for wheat.”

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The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for allocation of additional foodgrains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Phase III for another period of two months, May to June 2021. Moreover, it will also include the beneficiaries of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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The allocation of rice/wheat will be decided by the Department of Food & Public Distribution based on the existing allocation ratio under NFSA. The Department of Food and Distribution will also decide on the extension of the lifting or distribution period under PMGKAY as per operational requirements, keeping in view partial and local lockdown situation and arising out of adverse weather conditions like the monsoon, cyclones, supply chains and covid-induced constraint, etc.