Commendable decision by Modi govt! Good news for 80 crore beneficiaries amid coronavirus crisis

PM Narendra Modi-led Central government has taken a big step in view of coronavirus pandemic. In order to ensure sufficient supply during the lockdown period, the Modi government on Wednesday decided to increase monthly quota of subsidized foodgrains by 2 kg to 7kg per person through ration shops for 80 crore beneficiaries. A decision in this regard was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The government has decided to provide 7 kg per person of foodgrains to 80 crore people under the Public Distribution System (PDS), which the world's largest food security system," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

How 80 crore beneficiaries will be benefitted

-The cost of wheat is Rs 27/kg, which will be provided at a subsidised rate of Rs 2 kg, while the cost of rice is about Rs 32/kg but will be supplied at Rs 3/kg through ration shops, he said.

-All states have been asked to take foodgrains from the Centre in advance for distribution through the PDS, he added.

-Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government is supplying 5 kg of foodgrains per month to over 80 crore people at a highly subsidised price.

-The decision to allocate additional foodgrains through the PDS has been taken as state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) is saddled with wheat and rice stock.

-With some foodgrains stock kept in open space, the FCI is under pressure to clear stock before monsoon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, asserting that social distancing is the only way out for the country in its decisive battle against the coronavirus. In his second address to the nation on the pandemic raging across much of the world with the number of infections rising in India, Modi made a fervent appeal to the countrymen not to cross the 'Lakshman rekha' of their homes in the next three weeks.