Steps being taken to ensure proper distribution of quality foodgrains through FCI, says Joshi

The Hindu

11-07-2025

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has said that fake BPL cards will be identified and cancelled, while steps are being taken to ensure proper distribution of quality foodgrains to eligible card holders.
Speaking to presspersons after visiting the warehouse of Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Unkal in Hubballi on Friday, Mr. Joshi said that the FCI is working continuously to ensure that beneficiaries receive foodgrains as per National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
The Union Minister said that technology is being used and remedial measures are being taken to minimise wastage during storage.
'Instructions have been issued on proper storage of foodgrains. Also, GPS has been installed in trucks carrying foodgrains to track their movement and ascertain whether they reach the right destination,' he said.
He said that 13,553 tonnes of foodgrains have been released during 2024-25 from the FCI warehouse at Unkal. The Hubballi Division Office caters to the needs of Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Bagalkot and Haveri districts.
Mr. Joshi said that during the current fiscal year, 24,85,799 tonnes of rice have been released under NSFA scheme.
'To control the prices of rice and wheat, the Union government has sold 4,60,959 tonnes of rice and 1,05,065 tonnes of wheat in the open market. This apart, under the PM Poshan scheme, 1,06,895 tonnes of foodgrains have been released for providing mid-day meal to schoolchildren. From February 2025, the State government has been purchasing 2,42,000 tonnes of rice per month from FCI for the Anna Bhagya scheme. For the mid-day meal scheme of Classes IX and X students, 7,811 tonnes of rice are being sold to the State government under the open market scheme,' he said.
He said that under the Central government-supported MSP scheme, procurement of paddy, ragi and jowar is being done in the State.
'In Karnataka, 33,4 lakh tonnes of paddy are being produced out of which 510 tonnes have been procured during the current fiscal. As much as 9.44 lakh tonnes of ragi and 7.72 lakh tonnes of jowar are being produced in the State out of which 3.45 lakh tonnes and 1.93 lakh tonnes have been procured, respectively. If the procurement process is started early, then the procurement quantity can been increased,' he said.
Senior officials of FCI, including Jacintha L., B.O. Maheshwarappa, Devinder Singh, and others were present.