New Delhi: To ensure an uninterrupted supply of foodgrains to NGOs which are carrying out relief operations during the COVID-19 lockdown, the government has directed FCI (Food Corporation of India) on Wednesday to provide wheat and rice to such organisations at the OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) rates without going through the e-auction process. NGOs and charitable organisations are playing an important role in providing cooked food to thousands of poor and needy people during a nationwide lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 pandemic.
"Hitherto, only state governments and registered bulk users like Roller Flour Mills were allowed to buy stock from FCI under OMSS rates. These organisations can purchase 1 to 10 MT at a time from FCI at the predetermined reserve prices. FCI has network of more than 2,000 godowns in the country and these godowns are expected to ensure a smooth supply of foodgrains to these organisations (NGOs and charitable organisations) in this hour of crisis," an official order said
"It will help relief camps in their philanthropic work of feeding poor and migrant workers in the country. The details of lifting of foodgrains by such institutions would be intimated to the concerned DMs to ensure that foodgrains are utilised for the intended purpose," the order added.
Maintaining a quick pace of transportation of foodgrains stocks across the country, FCI has moved 2.2 Million tonnes from the surplus states since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. It has already handed over about 1 Million Tonnes of foodgrains to the state governments for free distribution under the PMGKAY scheme.
FCI has also delivered about 3.2 Million Tonnes of foodgrains to state governments to meet the requirements under regular NFSA allocation since March 24. The stock position of foodgrains in every state/UT in the country is being closely monitored and ensured that sufficient stocks are made available at all places. As on April 7, FCI has 54.42 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) foodgrains (30.62 MMT Rice and 23.80 MMT Wheat). While ensuring supply of adequate foodgrains for PDS and other government schemes, FCI is ensuring that supplies in open markets are also maintained at a healthy level to avoid any price shocks. It is regularly providing rice under OMSS directly to state governments and wheat to flour Mills based on the recommendations of respective DM/DC to stabilise supply and prices. So far 1.45 LMT Wheat and 1.33 LMT rice have been allotted. Every possible effort is being made to maintain stable and regular supply of foodgrains in the country during the lockdown period and help NGOs in delivering relief to the poor, the statement said.