The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has transported more than 1,000 train loads (rakes) carrying about 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of food grains during the lockdown period since March 24, the Centre said on Monday. The FCI has also been able to unload about 950 rakes (about 2.7 MMT) in various states of the country during the same period. The Finance Ministry has said that 20.11 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 31 states/UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April under the scheme announced as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. 2.65 lakh MT has been distributed by 16 states/UT to 5.29 crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 crore ration cards as April 2020 entitlement. The 21-day lockdown was scheduled to be ended on April 14 but has been further extended till May 3 as the number of coronavirus cases crossed 10,000.

Source: dna April 14, 2020 05:15 UTC