New Delhi: The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed about the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)’ the Government of India, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) started distribution of ‘additional’ and ‘free-of-cost’ food grains (Rice/Wheat) to around 80 Crore National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries.
As per the phase-wise distribution reports available from the States/UTs, so far, a cumulative total of about 726 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted and nearly 690 Lakh MT of food grains have been distributed by the States/UTs.
A Statement showing State/UT-wise inter-State and intra-State portability transactions since the inception of the ONORC plan is at Annexure.
About 10% of such transactions take place through the portability One Nation One Ration Card Plan.
The primary responsibility of beneficiary outreach and awareness generation under NFSA/ PDS has been entrusted to the States/UTs. All States/UTs have been requested to undertake wide-spread publicity and awareness of PM-GKAY and ONORC plan.
The Department has also shared various IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials about ONORC with all States/UTs for regular awareness generation through Fair Price Shops and other public places of importance.
Further, the Department also undertakes wide-publicity of ONORC through regular press releases and through Social Media.
All States/UTs have also been requested to enable a dedicated 14445 toll-free number for ONORC operations for information dissemination and other matters pertaining to portability of ration cards.
States/UTs are also requested to promote awareness about ‘Mera Ration’ Mobile application that has been developed by the Department, in association with NIC, for the benefit of NFSA beneficiaries.
