OVER 100 LAKH MT OF FREE GRAINS DISTRIBUTED UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI GAREEB KALYAN ANN YOJANA

The Uttar Pradesh Government, has been providing free 5 kg food grains to over 15 crore beneficiaries of the State to help the migrants, poor and the underprivileged sections of the society tide over the hardships of Corona pandemic. Under this scheme, each beneficiary receives 3 kg wheat and 2 kg rice.

Recently, free food grains were distributed to about 80 lakh beneficiaries of the state of Uttar Pradesh at around 80,000 fair price shops under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana. On the same day, the Prime Minister interacted with the public representatives present at these fair price shops of state through video conferencing, during which the beneficiaries shared their experiences of the ration distribution system and how it changed their lives amid the pandemic period. More than 100 beneficiaries were invited at each fair price shop to receive free ration under the scheme. The state government had given instructions to ensure utmost transparency during the distribution, a nodal officer was appointed at each shop to ensure the same. The beneficiaries received the free food grain in 25 kg ration bags. The Uttar Pradesh government has so far distributed over 100 lakh MT of free food grains in the State since the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic (April 2020).

As per the Chief Minister’s directives, the distribution was carried out entirely through E-PoS devices with biometric Aadhaar and dealer authentication in an utmost transparent manner. The Yogi-led government in Uttar Pradesh has distributed around 76,39,378.955 MT of free food grains under PMGKAY. While approximately 23,60,402.64 MT of free ration was separately distributed by the government, which is ‘over and above’ the ration being distributed under PMGKAY. The total distribution amounts to 100 lakh MT in the state. With a strong will to conquer the war against Covid-19 along with saving the livelihoods of people, CM Yogi Adityanath is making all efforts to provide relief to the weaker section amid the pandemic

Notably, there are more than 1,30,07,969 units of beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Ann Yojna and over 13,41,77, 983 units under Priority Household card holders.

Under the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, the facility of national portability has been implemented in the state since June last year, under which 43,572 cardholders of the state have taken ration from other states and 6,616 cardholders of other states have availed free ration in Uttar Pradesh. 5kg ration per unit has been given by the central and state government for 16 months, that is, 80 kg ration has been given per person so far. Apart from this, more than 8,137 helpless people of the state have received free ration by the Food and Logistics Department at their homes.

Badami Devi is one of the beneficiaries who was lucky to have interaction with Prime Minister, she told the PM that she has been getting ration every month without any problems. She also informed that she has benefitted with other government scheme like- free house, toilet, free gas connection etc.

Badami Devi, Varanasi

Amlavati is one of the beneficiaries who got an opportunity to interact with the PM. She told the PM that she got free ration for 9 months during the first wave and twice in this year that too without any hassles. She has also benefitted from other schemes.

Amlavati, Kushinagar

76,39,378.955 MT of free food grains under PMGKAY

23,60,402.64 MT of free ration distributed ‘over and above’ the ration distributed under PMGKAY