Narendra Modi-led government has approved the world’s largest food security scheme to benefit 80 crore people across the country. Out of them, every person will get 7 kg ration per month for the next three months, including wheat at a cost of Rs 2 per kg, instead of Rs 27 per kg; and rice at cost of Rs 3 per kg, instead of Rs 37 per kg, Cabinet Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a press conference on Wednesday.
The 80-crore people who would come under this scheme are those who use the Public Distribution System (PDS) and financially downtrodden, explained the Minister. The decision is taken after PM Modi announced a countrywide lockdown on Tuesday, forcing people to stay inside their houses for the next 21 days to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
No shortage of food or essential supplies during the lockdown:
Javdekar further informed that contractual laborers will be given their salaries. Note that these announcements come after PM Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown on Tuesday. The minister has also assured people that there will be no shortage of food products and essential goods during the lockdown. Immediately after the announcement of the lockdown, grocery stores across the country saw a burst of buyers rushing to gather enough grocery items to keep their household running during the lockdown period.
Increased rations and free meals in several states:
On Saturday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that free cooked food will be provided twice a day to the homeless in night shelters and that his government will provide free ration to over 72 lakh people and the quantity will be increased from 5 Kg to 7Kg for every ration card-holders.
The Chhattisgarh government had on Tuesday issued a notification stating that rice and dal will be distributed to ration card holders, students, and others. Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced Rs 1,000 to all ration card holders, free rice, sugar, and other essential commodities, in view of the lockdown in the state.
Social distancing in Cabinet meeting:
All cabinet ministers were physically present at the PM’s residence for the meeting and were seen sitting at a distance from each other. The PM discussed the nationwide lockdown and measures to control the coronavirus pandemic that has already claimed 10 lives in the country. Note that so far, India has recorded over 560 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Recapitalization of rural banks:
It is worth mentioning that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also approved the recapitalization of regional rural banks to improve their capital to risk-weighted assets ratio. It also approved the utilization of Rs 670 crore as Central Government share for the scheme.
21-day nationwide lockdown:
The government has asked all state governments to ensure unhindered operation of essential services and their seamless availability for the general public during this 21-day lockdown period which was announced by the PM to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
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