With aim to help the needy amidst the COVID19 pandemic and the restrictions arising out of it, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a food program to help the needy.
A press statement issued today informed that the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government and some private organisations, in a joint effort have set up at least 413 community kitchens in the state. The kitchens are presently distributing over 42,000 food packets in a single day, it stated.
“Instructions have been given by the government to provide food packets to needy people through community kitchens in all the districts,” the statement informed. It also claimed that arrangements have been ensured to facilitate the delivery of free meals at the doorstep of the needy people in the containment zones.
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In a similar move, on May 15, the Uttar Pradesh government had announced that it shall provide three kilograms of wheat and two kilograms of rice free to the below poverty line (BPL) ration card holding families for the next three months.
Also, one thousand rupees per month is to be provided to daily wagers and other poor labourers in the urban areas of the state.
Last month, on April 26, two days after a similar announcement by the Central government, the state government had announced an additional five kilograms of foodgrains to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
The press statement also informed that under PMGKAY, so far around 3,02,27,013 ration cardholders have been given free ration against as many as 3,59,47,971 ration cards issued in the state. “Out of a total of 14,78,92,300 units, nearly 12,79,87,725 people have been given as much as 6,39,938 metric tonnes of ration free of cost,” it said.
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