As on April 1, 2020, we need 7.46 million tonnes of wheat and 13.58 million tonnes of rice for ration shops. But we have 64.6 million tonnes of food grains in our stock, which is 43.56 million tonnes more than the requirementThe Food Corporation of India has transported 6.71 lakh tonne food grains to different parts of the country for feeding poor people amid lockdown.
“In a fight against COVID19, FCI is working 24X7 to help 81 crore poor people get food. After the lockdown over 6.71 lakh tonnes of foodgrains have been transported through 239 rail racks, out of which two-third have been loaded from Punjab and Haryana,” food minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted.
The government has decided to provide 5 kg either wheat or rice at free of cost to 80 crore people covered under National Food Security Act for next three months. This is over and above their monthly entitlement of 5 kg rice or wheat at a subsidised price of Rs 3 a kg and Rs 2 a kg.
“Initially there was problem for FCI workers in loading foodgrains as FCI was not notified in the exempted list of essential services. But after the notification from Home Ministry, the work has picked up pace,” said an FCI official.
He said that FCI will work round the clock to make food grains available to poor people specially migrant workers who are facing massive problems due to lock down.
As on April 1, 2020, we need 7.46 million tonnes of wheat and 13.58 million tonnes of rice for ration shops. But we have 64.6 million tonnes of food grains in our stock, which is 43.56 million tonnes more than the requirement.
Source: indiatimes.com
