States and union territories (UTs) have so far lifted 69.28 lakh tonnes of foodgrains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Anna Yojana (PMGAY) for free distribution to the poor ration card holders and help them sail through the Covid-19 crisis, according to the Union Food Ministry.
Around 14 states/UTs have lifted foodgrains for one month, 18 States for two months and five UTs for the entire three months in one go under the PMGAY, it added.
In March-end, the Government announced free distribution of 5 kg foodgrains to each of 81 crore ration card holders for three months from April to June. This is over and above 5 kg allocation at a subsidised rate to each beneficiary under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
"There has been enthusiastic response from the State Governments against this scheme and a quantity of 69.28 lakh tonnes has already been lifted up to May 6," the Ministry said in a statement.
This means, about 57 per cent of the total allocation of 120 lakh tonnes has been lifted so far under the scheme.