The ration card holders will be given free quantities as per today.

The ration card holders will be given free quantities as per today.

The Centre on Thursday announced free distribution of five kilo of foodgrains per person and one kilo pulses per household, for next three months to over 80 crore rationcard holders to ensure that no poor stays hungry during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This will be over and above what the ration card holders are getting at present under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) at a highly subsidised price of Rs 2/kg for wheat and Rs 3/kg for rice.

Announcing the relief measures in 36 hours since lockdown, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said free distribution of foodgrains and pulses will be provided under the Rs 1.7 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).

"Under PMGKY, 80 crore poor people, which comprise two thirds of our population, will get 5 kg foodgrains per person for free for the next three months. This will be over and above the existing quota of 5 kg under the PDS (public distribution system)," Sitharaman said.

Besides, 1 kg of pulses of regional preference will be provided to each poor household for free next three months, she said.

The ration card holders can take the foodgrains and pulses from the PDS in two installments, she added.

"This measure will ensure no gareeb (poor) remains hungry," Sitharaman said.

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