PM scheme offering 5 kgs of rice ended

Aurangabad, Dec 7:

The union government''s, PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, providing 5 kg of rice to each person, through the public distribution system (PDS), has been stopped since November 30. The centre had introduced the scheme since the second phase of lockdown in the country.

To control the pandemic situation, the union government had implemented the lockdown from March 23 to August 31. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government decided to provide food grains at low charges to 7.37 lakh saffron-coloured ration card-holders (above poverty line) of Marathwada. The distribution started on May 1. A total of 41.41 lakh card-holders from the region benefitted under various schemes. It includes 7.37 APL card-holders and 34.03 lakh beneficiaries and farmers under various schemes including Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

Meanwhile, the administration has claimed that under Atmanirbhar Bharat Sahay Yojana, the officials gave 5 kgs of rice to each person despite not having ration cards with them. For the city, 115 ration shops were fixed to distribute grains in all wards of the city. Under the scheme, more than 1 lakh persons were given free rice, claimed the officials.