The Central Government of India, since the lockdown, has supplied 74 Lakh Metric Tons of food grains to the states for distribution of free food grains to the needy people. Some 80 crore people are entitled to avail the benefit. Besides the food grains, the center has also ensured the supply of 1kg free pulses each for 19.5 crore households.
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan gave the figures as he described how the government was working to feed its people during the COVID-19 crisis. He said that FCI had loaded 2641 rakes with 73.95 LMT of food grains to ensure the states had those available for distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). PMGKAY is a central government initiative meant to provide free food grain to the poor to help them cope with lockdown made economic hardship. The Minister assured the people of food grain sufficiency in the country.
He also said that 21 states had completed the distribution of 90% of the April quota covering 41.35 crore people. On the distribution of pulses, Mr. Paswan said, 51,105 LMT of pulses have been distributed in 21 states and 5 UTs as per their preferences of pulses.
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