Rajasthan to provide free food grains till November

The Rajasthan government has announced that it is going to provide free foodgrains to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Mission till November 2020. The beneficiaries will be provided five kg of wheat per person and one kg of gram per family under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana as well as the National Food Security Act. The Chief Minister has asked the officials to ensure proper distribution of foodgrains to everybody in the state during these difficult times.

What is the National Food Security Act (NFSA)?

This act was passed in 2013 and they will provide coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population in the country, for receiving the subsidized foodgrains in the country, under the Targeted Public Distribution Scheme (TPDS). The scheme covers around two-thirds of the total population of the country. The eligible beneficiaries are entitled to receive five kg of foodgrains per person per month at subsidized prices of Rs 3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. It also focuses on the nutritional support to women and children.

What is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana?

This scheme was announced to provide foodgrains to the poorest of the poor section in the society during the lockdown situation imposed by COVID 19. The scheme was aimed at handling the difficulties faced by the poor during the lockdown to get the essential needs. The motto is that no one should go hungry in the country. This scheme covers 80 crore poor individuals in the country and each household is to be provided with 5 kg of foodgrains and 1 kg of channa free of cost. Recently, this scheme has been extended till Nov 2020.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020