54 Crore people in India get Rs 2/Kg Wheat and Rs 3/Kg Rice

As the Food Security Act has been implemented in 27 States, over 54 crore needy people under this scheme are availing Wheat at Rs 2 per kg and Rice at Rs 3 per kg. This was stated by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan in Bhubaneswar.

Now, all the States 36 States/UTs have and online  redressal of PDS grievances and toll free number for beneficiaries. Online allocation of foodgrains is being made in 20 states.

The Government has achieved significant mile stones in the reforms of PDS. Almost 100 % (99.9%) ration cards have been digitised across the country. Over 42 % ration cards have been even linked with Aadhaar cards and Point of Sale Devices, to keep electronic record of allocation to the beneficiaries, have been installed in over 77,000 ration shops. These measures will help making PDS more transparent and leak proof

In addition, huge paddy procurement has been made during on-going Kharif season ensuring reach of MSP operations to more farmers. 261.37 lakh tonnes paddy has been procured till February 11, 2016 while during last kharif season it was 215.49 lakh tonnes. Even in Odisha procurement till date is 16.07 Lakh tonnes while during last season it was 15.06 lakh tonnes.