The decision has been taken to reduce the huge surplus of stocks before the commencement of the new procurement season
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi announced that grain-deficient states can directly purchase from Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS [D]) without participating in the e-auction from August 1st, 2024. The decision has been taken to reduce the huge surplus of stocks before the commencement of the new procurement season.
Under the OMSS (D), the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, will directly offload grain to states for Rs 2,800 per quintal (excluding the cost of transportation). Joshi added that if the States/UTs want to procure more than the stipulated 5 kg of free grain per individual, they can procure that at the same price at Rs 2,800 per quintal instead of the earlier Rs 2,900 per quintal. He also asserted that the sale of atta and rice under the ‘Bharat’ brand which was slated to run till June 30th, 2024 will continue.
Speaking on the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), the Union Minister said that Centre has decided to continue to provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries (i.e. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries) under the PMGKAY for five years with effect from January 1st, 2024 with an estimated financial outlay of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally to be borne by Central Government. “It is the biggest ever food security programme,” said Joshi. The food grain distributed in 2023-2024 is 497 LMT; up to June 2024, the Centre has distributed 125 LMT.