Webinar on “Free Distribution of Food Grains under PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)”
Free foodgrains to be distributed among over 7 lakh 04 thousand National Food Security Act beneficiaries till November 2021 in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, August 04, 2021
A webinar on “Free Distribution of Food Grains under PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)” was organised by Press Information Bureau Shimla, here today.
Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Shimla Shri K.C. Chaman and Dr Rajesh Gulia, General Manager, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Shimla addressed the webinar.
Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Shimla Shri K.C. Chaman said that in order to provide relief to the poor section in view of the economic instability arising in the country due to the COVID-19lockdown, the Government of India has again announced to provide 5 kg of food grains to National Food Security Act (NFSA) families free of cost per person per month. He added that the PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojana has been extended by the Government of India for the next 5 months (July to November), 2021, which is being distributed among 7,04,587 ration card holders of National Food Security Act (NFSA) whose population is 28,70,256.
PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojana(PMGKAY) is a part of PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Package (PMGKP)to help the poor fight the battle against Covid-19.It was initially announced for a three month period (April, May and June 2020), covering 80 crore ration cardholders. Later it was extended till November 2020. However in April 2021, the government had announced its decision to restart the PMGKAY.
Both the speakers threw light on the flagship initiative PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and explained the free distribution of food grains including wheat, rice &Channa Dal to the people living below poverty line in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The key speakers informed that both theDepartment of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs& Food Corporation of India cater unitedly to undertake the free distribution of food grains while synergizing their system.
They said sufficient stocks of foodgrains remain available with atleast two months advance procurement for equitable distribution among beneficiaries across the State particularly in far flung, tribal and hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh.
The speakers unanimously informed that there is a robust public grievance redressal mechanism and effective monitoring system in place to plug loopholes, if any, in the distribution of foodgrains among targeted and listed beneficiaries.
The webinar was attended by Joint Director, DIPR, ShriPradeepKunwar; Field Exhibition Officer, Field Outreach Bureau (FOB), Shimla Shri Anil Dutt and several officials from various departments of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh &Jallandhar and several students of RKMV College, Shimla.
Question Answer session was also held and both the key speakers clarified the queries.
Shri Tariq A. Rather, Deputy Director (M&C), PIB Shimla delivered welcome address & presented vote of thanks to the participants.
ShriHimanshuPathak, Assistant Director (M&C), PIB Shimla conducted the proceedings in a befitting manner.
