NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JULY 2
In a landmark reform aimed at enhancing the quality of food distributed through India’s vast public welfare network, the Union Cabinet has approved significantly stricter quality standards for rice supplied under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), benefiting more than 80 crore people across the country.
- Government tightens rice quality standards for the first time in nearly three decades, significantly reducing permissible broken rice in Public Distribution System supplies.
- Historic Cabinet decision aims to ensure greater dignity for beneficiaries, strengthen transparency through QR-based traceability and optimise grain utilisation without altering free foodgrain entitlements.
- Broken rice generated during processing to be channelled towards ethanol production and animal feed, reinforcing sustainability and efficient resource management.
The decision marks the first major upgrade in rice quality norms in nearly three decades, reflecting the Government’s resolve to strengthen India’s food security architecture while ensuring that beneficiaries receive better-quality food with dignity.
Announcing the decision, Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the permissible percentage of broken rice supplied through ration shops has been sharply reduced.
For raw rice, the permissible broken rice limit has been brought down from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, while for parboiled rice, it has been reduced from 16 per cent to just 5 per cent.
Describing the move as transformative, Joshi said:
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet has taken a historic and transformative decision to further strengthen India’s food security architecture.”
Highlighting the significance of the reform, he added:
“For the first time in nearly three decades, the quality standards for rice distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) have been upgraded.”
Emphasising the direct benefit to millions of families, the Minister said:
“The move will ensure better-quality food with dignity for more than 80 crore beneficiaries.”
He further assured that:
“Every eligible family will continue to receive the same entitlement under PMGKAY, now with significantly improved quality.”
According to Joshi, the reform reflects the Government’s commitment to supplying superior-quality rice while ensuring optimal utilisation of every grain, enhancing transparency through QR-based traceability, and improving operational efficiency through prudent cost rationalisation.
The Government said rice procured from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will continue to be utilised efficiently. While higher-grade rice will be distributed through the Public Distribution System, the broken rice separated during processing will be diverted for ethanol production and animal feed, reducing wastage and promoting sustainable resource utilisation.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will continue to procure and distribute foodgrains under the Public Distribution System in accordance with the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under the NFSA, eligible beneficiaries receive 5 kilograms of foodgrains (rice or wheat) per person every month free of cost, while families covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) continue to receive 35 kilograms of foodgrains every month.
