Over 137 lakh tonnes of food grains transported to states since lockdown

Government has said that a total of over 137 lakh tonnes of food grains have been lifted and transported to states and union Territories since the beginning of lockdown. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, a total of around six lakh tonnes of grains have been transported to the North-Eastern States. As per the report, Food Corporation of India, FCI has over 276 lakh tonnes of rice and over 353 lakh tonnes of wheat stock. AIR correspondent reports that during the lockdown period, Food Corporation of India has sold four lakh 50 thousand tonnes of wheat and five lakh 61 thousand tonnes of rice through Open Market Sales Scheme.

NGOs and social institutions running relief camps can purchase wheat and rice directly from FCI through this scheme rate. Under the scheme, the rates of Rice is fixed at 22 rupees per kilogram and Wheat at 21 rupees per kilogram. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, for next three months a total of over 104 lakh tonnes rice and over 15 lakh tonnes wheat is required. Out of this more than 59 lakh tonnes of rice and over eight lakh tonnes of wheat have been lifted by various States and Union Territories.