Free ration scheme for 5 more months, government okays proposal

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 23

The government today approved allocation of additional foodgrain under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (Phase IV) for another five months from July to November. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi.

The government said, “Free foodgrain @ 5 kg per person per month will be given to a maximum of 81.35 crore beneficiaries, who are covered under the National Food Security Act, including those covered under direct benefit transfer.”

The sanction of the additional foodgrain will entail an estimated food subsidy of Rs 64,031 crore.

81 crore to benefit

Five kg foodgrain per person per month is provided free of cost under the scheme to 81.35 cr beneficiaries

Total estimated expenditure to be borne by the Centre will be Rs67,266.44 crore

The allocation in terms of wheat and rice will be decided by Department of Food and Public Distribution

“As the Centre is bearing the entire expenditure towards this scheme, an additional expenditure of Rs 3,234.85 crore will be required to be met towards transportation and handling and FPS dealers’ margins. Thus, the total estimated expenditure to be borne by the government will be Rs 67, 266.44 crore,” it said.

The allocation in terms of wheat and rice would be decided by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the government said, adding that the department “may also decide on the extension of the lifting and distribution period under Phase III and IV as per operational requirements, arising out of adverse weather conditions and supply chain and Covid-induced constraints”.

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