GUWAHATI, May 8 - Around 1.25 lakh MT of rice (per month) has been allotted under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for three months from April to June for free distribution among 2.49 crore NFSA beneficiaries in the State.
The total expenditure to the tune of about Rs 1462 crore for providing free foodgrains to the people of Assam is borne by the Central government.
The Food Corporation of India, Assam region, has so far issued 1.75 lakh MT foodgrains valued at Rs 683 crore to the Assam government under this scheme up to May 7.
According to DV Prasad, CMD, FCI, 1.34 lakh MT foodgrains has also been issued to the State government under the NFSA. The total quantity of foodgrains supplied by FCI, Assam region, in the State during the lockdown period for distribution under various schemes is about 4 lakh MT. He said that the Centre is ensuring adequate availability of foodgrains not only in the State but also throughout the country to achieve the objective that it would not allow anybody, especially poor families, to suffer on account of non-availability of foodgrains.
To reach the poor migrant labourers/vulnerable groups during the lockdown, FCI is encouraging the NGOs/charitable organisations to purchase rice/wheat at Rs 22/21 per kg respectively for undertaking relief operations amongst these groups. While taking care of the needy people through regular supply of foodgrains, equal attention is also being given to protect the interests of farmers by undertaking procurement of paddy in the State during the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season 2019-20.
