Shri. G Narasimha Raju, General Manager, Food Corporation of India (Karnataka), addressing the Media persons here in Bangalore today and highlighted Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKA Y), the activities of Food corporation of India and also said that:

One of the most important initiatives of Govt. of India in its fight against Covid 19 virus is the announcement of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) providing free food grains to the needy population. The salient features of the scheme are:

• Government of India would not allow anybody, especially any poor family, to suffer on account of non-availability of food grains due to disruption in the three months.

• 4 crore individuals, i.e, roughly 3/5" of Karnataka's population would be covered under this scheme.

• Each one of them would be provided double of their current entitlement over next Five months.

• This additionality would be free of cost.

Under the scheme, about 10.05 LMT food grains are being distributed to the vulnerable sections of society across the State affected by the pandemic. Government of India has ensured that all priority households (PHH) under NFSA gets double their usual allocation during Five months of July to November 2021 along with each Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiary getting an extra 5 Kg/month than their normal quota of 35 Kg per card per month.

Govt. of India is incurring an expenditure of about Rs.3919 Crores covering,tbe cost of food grains, costs of its procurement, storage & transportation as well as distribution upto the point of delivery to the intended beneficiaries at the Fair Price Shop (FPS). Total cost of operations starting from cost of the grain paid to farmer upto payment of commission to FPS shop owners is borne by Govt. of India at the rate of about Rs 39 per kg for rice and about Rs. 28 per kg for wheat. This entire food support scheme is implemented by government of India without any financial burden on the State Governments.

Status of lifting of food grains under PMGKAY scheme in respect of Karnataka

► Every beneficiary under NFSA (AAY, PHH & DBT) received 5Kg per person per month under this scheme.

Shri. K. Nagesh Kamalakar, Dy. General Manager and Shri.P. Lokanadham, Dy. General Manager also attended the press conference.

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