West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur and Bihar have performed unsatisfactorily while in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) while Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir are among the top which lifted almost 100 percent food grains quota under the scheme. Bihar assembly polls are expected this year while West Bengal’s polls are due next year.
Interestingly, of the total 5.79 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) Pulses dispatched, the States/UTs have been able to distribute only 4.47 LMT so far. A total of 08.76 LMT pulses (Tur- 3.77 LMT, Moong-1.14 LMT, Urad-2.28 LMT, Chana-1.30 LMT and Masur-0.27 LMT) was available.
As per the data of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Bihar distributed around 72 per cent of grain it lifted in the three months — 91 per cent of April’s quota, 88 per cent of May and just 37 per cent of June’s quota. In the case of pulses, Bihar has distributed 82 per cent of April’s quota, 31 per cent of May, and hasn’t distributed anything from June’s quota. Data show that Bihar is entitled to distribute 50,655 tonnes of pulses in the three months at 16,885 tonnes per month.
In the case of West Bengal, the state has distributed 59 per cent of its quota of grains till June 30. Of its quota of pulses, the state has distributed just 87 per cent of April’s quota and nothing since. It has received almost 28,000 tonnes of free pulses out of its quota of 44,000 tonnes.
In Madhya Pradesh, data till June 30 show, around 68 per cent of the three months’ allocation has been distributed. This includes 74 per cent of April’s quota, 83 per cent of May, and just 48 per cent of June’s quota.
In the case of free pulses, MP has distributed 64 per cent of April’s quota, 48 per cent of May, and, very little of June’s quota. The state is entitled to distribute 35,000 tonnes of pulses at 11,686 tonnes per month and has received a little over 16,000 tonnes of pulses and distributed 15,475 tonnes so far. Chandigarh and Lakshadweep have lifted their 100 percent food grains quota under the scheme.
Under the scheme, the Centre has provided 5 kg of grains per person and 1 kg of pulses free of cost to ration cardholders for the months of April, May and June amid the nationwide lockdown. As per the revised data under the PMGKAY, for the April-June period, a total of 116.34 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) food grains has been lifted by various States and UTs. In the month of April 2020, 37.06 LMT (93%) food grains have been distributed to 74.12 crore beneficiaries; in May 2020, total 36.83 LMT (91%) food grains were distributed to 73.66 crores beneficiaries and in the month of June 2020, 29.64 LMT (74%) food grains have been distributed to 59.29 crores beneficiaries.
Under Atma Nirbhar Bharat package, the states and UTs have lifted 6.39 LMT of food grains. States and UTs have distributed 1,06,141 MT of food grains to 121.00 lakh beneficiaries in May and 91.29 lakh beneficiaries in June, 2020. Around 33,998 MT gram/dal have been dispatched to the states and UTs. A total 32,291 MT gram has been lifted by various States and UTs. 7,263 MT gram has been distributed by the states and UTs. The Centre is bearing 100% financial burden of approximately Rs. 3,109 crores for food grain and Rs 280 crores for gram under this scheme.
After Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) extended till November, the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs has estimated cost for distribution of food grains (Rice and Wheat) and pulses around Rs 1,48,938 crore.