NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 26
To ensure sufficient supply during the lockdown, the government on Thursday decided to increase the monthly quota of subsidized foodgrains by 2 kg to 7 kg 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 told media after the meeting.
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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.
Gujarat govt asks APMCs to resume grain supply operations
Gujarat government on Wednesday asked all the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to resume auctions of grains and pulses to restore the supply chain.
APMCs had earlier voluntarily discontinued auctions of grains and pulses at the markets since these were non-perishables, while auctions for vegetables and fruits were on.
However, now in the wake of the 21-day nation-wide lockdown, the state government issued a notification to all APMCs asking them to resume auctions for even grains and pulses so that supply at groceries is not hit.
“All APMCs engaged in the auctions of food Agri commodities such as grains, pulses, and oilseeds, among others are to resume their operations. For this they are asked to maintain required safety measures, avoid overcrowding and maintain hygiene prescribed by the government amid the COVID-19 outbreak. These APMCs are advised to seek guidance from the local authorities for the same, ” according to the notification issued on Wednesday.
Large quantities of oilseeds, spices, grains, and pulses have piled up with farmers amidst the current harvest season.
MG Motor India to donate Rs 2 cr to health institutions in Gurugram, Halol
MG Motor India on Wednesday said it will donate Rs 2 crore to government hospitals and health institutions in Gurugram and Halol in Gujarat, where the carmaker’s facilities are located, to fight coronavirus pandemic.
While Rs 1 crore contribution will come from the company directly, its employees have also pledged to donate another Rs 1 crore, MG Motor India said in a statement.
The contribution will come in the form of gloves, masks, ventilators, medicines, and beds, etc, depending on the particular requirement of the specific government hospitals and health institutions providing medical assistance in Gurugram and Halol near Vadodra, it added.
The company’s manufacturing plant is located at Halol while its corporate office is in Gurugram.
The carmaker said it has also advised its dealers to ensure enhanced insurance cover for around 5,000 employees across the country.
