Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday said that government will ensure availability of free foodgrains and pulses to eight crore migrant labourers and their families who are not covered under National Food Security Act or State Scheme PDS Cards at 5 kg per person per month free of cost for May and June.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special economic and comprehensive package of Rs 20 lakh crore on May 12 and as part of economic measures under Atmrbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced many short and long term measures for supporting the poor including migrant workers.
"This includes distribution of free foodgrains and pulses to 8 crore migrant labourers who are not covered under National Food Security Act or State Scheme PDS Cards at 5 kg per person per month free of cost for two months," said Paswan during a media interaction via video conference here in Krishi Bhawan.
According to an official release, Paswan said state-wise allocation orders have been issued. The allocation has been made taking 10 per cent of the total number of beneficiaries covered under NFSA in a particular state and UT.
"The identification of beneficiaries and distribution of foodgrains to such beneficiaries will be the responsibility of respective state/UT government," the release said.
( With inputs from ANI )