New Delhi: Chairing a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, PM Modi Gave his ex-facto approval for allocation of additional food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Phase III- for another period of 2 months, May to June 2021 at 5 kg per person per month free of cost for about 79.88 Crore beneficiaries covered under NFSA (AAY & PHH) including those covered under DBT.
The Union Cabinet announced additional food grains to NFSAC beneficiaries under PMGKAY for 2 months.
The official statement read,” 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.”
The Food and Public Distribution department of the respective states will decide the apportion based on the existing allocations ratio under NFA. It is also authorized to decide the extension of the lifting or distribution period under PMGKAY are per operational requirements keeping in view lockdown situations and arising adverse weather conditions like a monsoon, cyclones, supply chain, and Covid-induced constraints, etc.
A total distribution of 80 lakh metric ton is quoted according to which the cabinet assures ample food grain supply to the BPL families for the next 2 months.