As BJP returns to power in 4 states, will supply of free foodgrains for poor continue?

NEW DELHI: After the BJP’s return to power in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur riding on welfare schemes, there is speculation of whether the Centre will continue the supply of free foodgrains to the poor beyond this month. The current phase of PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna (PMGAY) ends on March 31.
Sources said the issue of excess wheat and rice with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) also came up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.They added that the government was looking at different options including the export of the excess stock to free up more space for fresh procurement, which will start early next month.
The FCI has a total stock of around 520 lakh tonnes of foodgrains, including nearly 240 lakh tonnes of wheat and the remaining 280 lakh tonnes of rice. So, if the government plans to continue this welfare scheme, it won’t be a n issue, sources said.
According to official sources, 21 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice with a central subsidy element of Rs 6,000 crore were distributed free of cost to the poor in Uttar Pradesh between December 2021 and February 2022 as part of the Covid relief package just ahead of the polls.
Under the PMGKAY, the Centre provides 5 kg free foodgrains per month per person to the identified poor and this is in addition to their entitlement for highly subsidised foodgrains.