• Source:JND
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PM Garib Kalyan Annay Yojna: To stabilize prices, the Prime Minister declared in October that the allocation of wheat to beneficiaries under the Garib Kalyan Annay Yojana would be raised. Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra highlighted the 100-day achievements of the Modi 3.0 government and stated that a committee of ministers had authorized an additional 3.5 million tonnes of wheat under PMGCARE.

This enhanced allocation will continue until March 2025, and has the potential to restore the wheat-rice ratio under the scheme, he stated at a press conference. When asked if this increased quantity restored the wheat-rice ratio, the secretary said that it would still be 1-2 million tonnes less than the normal quantity.

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He further stated that the allocation may be modified based on future developments. In May 2022, the government reduced the wheat allocation from 18.2 million tonnes to 7.1 million tonnes and raised the rice allocation under PMGCARE due to tight supplies as a result of lower domestic production.

Chopra highlighted the current availability of wheat in abundance, citing last year's record production of 112.9 million tonnes. Even by conservative and industry estimates, it was at least 4-5 million tonnes more than the previous year, he noted. The government's procurement amounted to 26.6 million tonnes, compared to last year's actual production of 112.9 million tonnes.

Chopra responded to market concerns, stating that there were no immediate plans to sell wheat under the open market sales scheme given the price stability of wheat and wheat products. However, he did not rule out future sales of OMSS. The PMGK, which covers 800 million poor beneficiaries, provides 5 kg of free foodgrains per person per month. This enhanced allocation is intended to address the issues faced by the beneficiaries after the previous drop in wheat supplies.

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(With PTI's Input)

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