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Informist, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024

MUMBAI – Supply of fortified rice to the targeted population through various government schemes implemented till March this year was lifted entirely, according to a year-end review by the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Custom-milled rice has been replaced with fortified rice in every scheme of the government, the department said.

The initiative aims to provide rice enriched with essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, adhering to the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The programme is meant to benefit 800 million Indians and reduce the incidence of anaemia, stunting of growth, and micronutrient deficiency amongst vulnerable sections of the population.

Initially funded by the government as part of food subsidy until Jun. 30, the initiative was reviewed for further continuation and future cost-sharing. In a meeting on Oct. 9, the Union Cabinet approved continuing the supply of fortified rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and other welfare schemes till December, according to the release.

This initiative will continue as a central sector initiative, fully funded by the government under the existing Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana framework, utilising the previously approved allocation of INR 11798.59 billion, according to the release. The Cabinet had approved the Centre's plan to provide free food grains to about 813.5 million beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for a period of five years from Jan. 1 this year.

Moreover, the Centre allocates funds for food subsidies to Food Corp. of India and states that have adopted decentralised procurement based on the distribution of food grains to the targeted beneficiaries and not under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The food subsidy released to FCI and states that have adopted decentralised procurement in the previous and current financial year was INR 2113.94 billion and INR 1402.39 billion till October, respectively, according the release. Around INR 304.57 billion was allocated till October to states that have adopted decentralised procurement, it said.  End

Reported by Taniva Singha Roy

Edited by Ashish Shirke

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