SHILLONG: The state government has decided to continue the central package of providing free foodgrains to the beneficiaries till November.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong hailed the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the package.
Speaking to newsmen here on Wednesday, Tynsong said that a detailed discussion was held on the announcement.
“We express our gratitude to the PM for considering the special package,” Tynsong said.
In a move to bolster food security for the poor impacted by a COVID-induced economic slowdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended the scheme to provide five kg foodgrains and one kg of pulses for free to 80 crore beneficiaries for another five months.
“The decision of the Prime Minister would greatly benefit the NFSA ration card holders in the state who will be entitled to an additional 5 kg of foodgrains for another five months free of charge,” Tynsong told reporters.
According to Tynsong, this was in addition to the usual 5 kg of grain per month to which they were entitled under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Tynsong informed that 21,49,095 people will be benefitted in the state.
When asked about the families who are left out, he said that they will need to wait for the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2021 so that their names can be included in the list of beneficiaries of NFSA.
“The present beneficiaries as of now are based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011,” he added.
