Covid-19: Government Transfers Rs. 49,965 Crore Directly to the Farmers’ Accounts

The Secretary of Department of Food & Public Distribution, Sudhanshu Pandey briefed about Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, to the media persons. The Secretary said, “the department has started the implementation of PMGKAY III for the period of two months, i.e., May & June 2021, in the same way as earlier by providing an additional quota of free-of-cost food grains (Rice & Wheat) at a scale of 5 Kg per person per month, over and above their monthly NFSA entitlements to around 80 crore beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA including Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Householders.” 

The Secretary informed that the payment of Rs. 49,965 crore has been made so far directly into the farmers’ accounts across the country on account of wheat procurement. He further mentioned that Rs. 21,588 crore in Punjab & Rs. 11,784 crore in Haryana has been transferred directly into the farmers’ accounts.  

Pandey further informed that the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) is now enabled in 32 States/UTs. He said, “monthly average of around 1.5 1.6 crore portability transactions are being recorded under ONORC. More than 26.3 crore portability transactions (including intra-state transactions) have taken place all across these States/UTs.  

Since the inception of this scheme in August 2019, out of which almost 18.3 crore portability transactions have been recorded during the COVID-19 period of April 2020 to April 2021 itself. He further mentioned that given the potential of the One Nation One Ration Card plan to ensure the access to NFSA food grains to migrant NFSA beneficiaries during the COVID-19 crisis, this department has been continuously pursuing with States/UTs through Video meetings/advisories/letters, etc. to implement the programme to its full potential by proactively reaching out to the migrant beneficiaries.  

These States/UTs have been requested to undertake wide-spread publicity and awareness of the ONORC plan, 14445 toll-free number, and Mera Ration mobile application, which was recently developed by the department in association with NIC for the benefit of NFSA beneficiaries in nine different languages.  

Pandey said, “in the view of resurgence of COVID, with the objective to make wheat and rice stocks easily available in the open market, the government of India has liberalized Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) policy for the year 2021-22.  

Answering a question about the rising price of edible oils, Pandey said, “price of edible oils is being monitored closely by the government. Due to COVID condition, some stocks are stuck at ports due to clearance relating tests by various agencies, the problem is now addressed and soon stocks will be released in the market and this will show softening impact on oil prices.