World's Largest Food Programme announced by India
80 crore people who are mostly from the poor and vulnerable sections to get subsidized food grains for 3 months
By : Kathir Webdesk
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (25th March) decided to launch the world's largest food security programme that will cover 80 crore people for the next 3 months. The 80 crore people who come under this scheme are the poor and vulnerable sections of the society who use the Public Distribution System. This comes a day after the 21 day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Modi in the wake of the corona virus pandemic.
Briefing the media, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that every person who comes under the scheme would get 7 kg ration per month for the next three months, including wheat at a cost of Rs.2 per kg and rice at cost of Rs.3 per kg.
"The government has decided to provide 7 kg per person of food grains to 80 crore people under the Public Distribution System (PDS), which the world's largest food security system," said the Minister speaking on the Cabinet decision.
"80 crore people will get wheat at ₹2 a kg and rice at ₹3 kg for the next 3 months. Wheat, which is usually given at ₹7 per kg will be given at Rs2. This happens otherwise as well, but we should not forget that this is being given to 80 crore people for 3 months. Rice will be supplied at ₹3/kg" the Minister said.
He reiterated that there is no need for the public to panic about the supply of essential commodities. The Information and Broadcasting Minister reiterated that there will be no shortage of food products and essential goods during the lockdown.
He mentioned that all states have been asked to take food grains from the Centre in advance for distribution through PDS and that the Food Corporation of India networks across the country are geared up for the scheme.