Amid the reports of alleged discrepancies in rice distribution across Manipur and confusion over it, the department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, (CAFPD) Manipur on Wednesday provided clarifications on several aspects of the rice scheme for the poor.
The CAFPD pointed out that National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) is an ongoing regular scheme implemented in Manipur since 2016, while the and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is a special intervention of the Central Government to alleviate the hardships of the people during the Covid pandemic.
"We have recieved reports of instances of confrontation between FPS agents and the members of public due to confusion in the quantity of rice to be distributed and who should be entitled to receive it under the ongoing NFSA and the PMGKAY-III schemes," CAFPD director Ranjan Yumnam said, specifying the entitlement.
Allocation for Manipur
Mentioning some important features regarding distribution of rice under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Yumnam informed that the monthly allocation under NFSA for Manipur is 106106.45 Qtls.
There are 18,60, 159 beneficiaries registered under NFSA with 62667 AAY households and 1683460 PHH beneficiaries, he said.
What is AAY?
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December 2000 for one crore poorest of the poor families in India.
How much quantity of rice can each AAY household get?
AAY households irrespective of the number of family members are entitled to receive 35 kg of rice per month and all PHH beneficiaries shall receive 5 kg of rice per person per month, the CAFPD stated.
Price of NFSA rice
The issue price of NFSA rice is Rs 3 per kg which is to be borne by the beneficiaries themselves, the CAFPD added.
NFSA rice distribution
The CAFPD stated that the monthly foodgrains entitlements are to be collected by the Ration Card holders of NFSA from their respective FPS agents duly appointed by the deputy commissioner concerned.
As per the existing guidelines of the scheme, persons not possessing a valid Ration Card will not be entitled to receive PDS ration, it stated.
PMGKAY rice distribution - Covid Relief scheme
PMGKAY is a special scheme introduced by the government as a Covid specific assistance to the states to mitigate the hardships of the people during these difficult times.
PMGKAY rice allocation for Manipur - May-June 2021
The CAFPD stated that the Government of India has allocated 93007.95 qtls of rice per month for May-June 2021 to Manipur under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)-Phase-III.
Under this scheme, Ration Card holders/beneficiaries under NFSA will be provided additional rice at 5 kg per person per month ‘Free of Costs’ for a period of months, i.e. May-June, 2021 over and above their month NFSA quota, it mentioned.
The CAFPD stated that there is no separate allocation for AAY households in PMGKAY and allocation of rice is calculated on the basis of number of beneficiaries.
This scheme will aimed to benefit Ration Card Holders and enlisted members only and persons not possessing a valid Ration Card under NFSA will not be covered as per the guidelines of the scheme.
Assembly Constituency-wise allocation of rice under NFSA and PMGKAY-III are given respectively, it stated.
Lifting of NFSA - PMGKAY rice
The allocated NFSA - PMGKAY rice will be lifted by the district authorities through theTransport Contractor appointed by the CAFPD department which shall be solely responsible for the safe transportation of the entire quantity of PMGKAY/NFSA rice from FCI/CAF and PD depots to respective Fair Price Shops in the districts, the CAFPD stated.
Who will distribute NFSA, PMGKAY rice?
FPS agents will distribute both the NFSA and PMGKAY rice to the entitled beneficiaries.
Advisory for NFSA - PMGKAY rice beneficiaries
In view of the current Covid pandemic, beneficiaries will follow Covid appropriate practices while availing the benefit of the schemes during the time of rice distribution or while collecting their ration from the FPS shops or centres.
1. Maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet
2. Wearing a face mask
3. Sanitising the hands
Supervision of PDS rice distribution
Under the existing norms of supervision of PDS rice distribution, district supply officers and civil supply inspectors of CAF and PD working under the district administration shall conduct regular inspections of the shops to ensure that FPS Agents under their respective jurisdiction are distributing the correct quantity of rice to the genuine beneficiaries possessing valid Ration Cards within the framework of NFSA and PMGKAY, the CAFPD added.
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