Synopsis
As of January 1, 2024, the government will extend free foodgrains to around 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five years, with an estimated budget of Rs 11.80 lakh crore. This initiative is part of the Public Distribution System and aims to support the poor and needy in the country.Key Takeaways
- Continuation of free foodgrains for 81.35 crore beneficiaries.
- Implementation under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
- Priority Households receive 5 kg per person monthly.
- One Nation One Ration Card scheme for portability.
- Quality Control Manual and State Level Committees established.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) The government has announced that it will persist in supplying free foodgrains to approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries for a duration of five years starting January 1, 2024, with an anticipated financial expenditure of Rs 11.80 lakh crore, as indicated by official documents.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is executed under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 across all States/UTs. This Act provides coverage to up to 75 percent of the rural populace and up to 50 percent of the urban populace for receiving foodgrains (rice, wheat, and coarse grains) under Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
Priority Households are entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per individual per month, while households under the AAY receive 35 kg of foodgrains monthly.
According to the Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, there is currently no proposal in consideration for establishing Centralised Public Distribution Cards in the nation.
Nonetheless, the nationwide portability of ration cards, commonly known as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), is operational.
This technology-driven reform enables around 80 crore PMGKAY beneficiaries to collect their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice across the country, using their existing ration card with biometric verification on an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device.
Furthermore, family members at home can also collect part of the PMGKAY foodgrains in their home state/UT using the same ration card.
To tackle the rising concerns regarding the quality and availability of subsidized foodgrains under the PDS, especially in rural and remote regions, the government has developed and issued a Quality Control Manual.
Additionally, a State Level Committee has been established in each state to monitor and coordinate quality-related issues concerning central pool food grains.
“Moreover, a Quality Management System (QMS) portal has been introduced in the FCI and the Department, digitizing all quality control and inspection activities, leading to enhanced reliability and accuracy of data,” stated the MoS.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was initiated specifically to alleviate the difficulties faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
In light of the Covid-19 crisis, the allocation of free foodgrains under PMGKAY was in addition to the regular allocation for around 80 crore beneficiaries.
A total quantity of approximately 1,118 LMT foodgrains was allocated under PMGKAY over a span of 28 months, with a total planned financial outlay of about Rs 3.91 lakh crore.
