NASHIK :
As many as 4,43,624 ration card holders stranded in different parts of the state due to the lockdown have procured foodgrains online under the portability system for the month of May.
Distribution of foodgrains has started smoothly from 52428 fair price shops in the state. In the month of May, over 74 lakh quintals of foodgrains were distributed to over 1.52 crore ration card holders in the state. Also 33,84,040 Shiv Bhojan thalis have been distributed during the same period.
The number of eligible beneficiaries in both the schemes of Antyoday and Priority Family under the National Food Security Act Scheme (NFSA) in the state, is around 7 crore. These beneficiaries are given the benefit of public distribution system through 52,428 fair price shops. About 20,68,596 quintals of wheat, 15,88,972 quintals of rice and 22,010 quintals of sugar have been distributed in the state under both the schemes.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PM-GKAY), it is planned to provide 5 kg of rice per beneficiary free of cost per month from April to June. Since May 4, over 1.34 lakh ration card holders have been distributed free rice. 30,33,530 quintals of rice has been distributed to over 6.06 population on this ration card.
The state government has decided to provide benefits to 3 crore 08 lakh 44 thousand 076 APL Kesari beneficiaries for the 2 months of May and June at a discounted rate of 5 kg of grain (Rs 8 per kg of wheat and Rs 12 per kg of rice) for the solution of Covid-19 crisis. Under the scheme, 7,92,910 quintals of ration has been distributed in May. The distribution of this grain has started from 24th April and till now, 7,53,810 quintals of grain has been distributed.
The PMGKAY scheme provides for 1 kg of free dal (tur or chana dal) per ration card. About 84188 quintals of pulses have been distributed under this scheme. Also non ration card holders have also being provided 5kg of rice for free for the months of May and June.
