65.80 lakh quintals of food grains distributed in May: Chhagan Bhujbal

The State Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday, informed that the distribution of food grains has started smoothly from 52, 428 ration shops across the state. Bhujbal stated that between May 1 and May 25, 1,44,75,735 ration cardholders in Maharashtra were benefitted as they were allotted 65.80 lakh quintals of food grains.

"About 27 lakh 28 thousand 502 Shivbhojan plates have been distributed," Mr Bhujbal said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to data, the number of eligible beneficiaries in both ration cards, Antyodaya and Priority Family Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Scheme in the state, is around 7 crore. As per data, close to 19.77 lakh quintals of wheat, 15.18 lakh quintals of rice and 21.98 thousand quintals of sugar has been distributed in the state under this scheme. Along with this, the government has also ensured that about 3.99 lakh ration card-holders who have migrated but are stuck in the state due to lockdown have been able to get food grains online under the government's portability system where they live.

The Centre had announced that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, every beneficiary will be provided with 5 kg of rice free of cost per month from April to June. Since May 4, a total of 1,03,71,825 ration cards have been distributed free rice. Close to 23.30 lakh quintals of rice has been distributed to nearly 4.66 crore people under the scheme.

The state government also has decided to provide 5 kg of grain at a discounted rate (Rs 8 per kg of wheat and Rs 12 per kg of rice) to 3.08 crore beneficiaries amid the COVID-19 crisis for May and June 2020. The distribution under the scheme had started April 24 onwards and so far, nearly 7.53 lakh quintals of food grains have been distributed. Meanwhile, the government has also taken action against shopkeepers who have sold food grains at inflated rates due to scarcity.

Along with this, between May 1 and May 25, 27 lakh 28 thousand 502 Shivbhojan thalis were distributed from 822 Shivbhojan Kendras at the rate of Rs 5 per thali.