MLA of Hiyanglam AC clarifies on PMGKAY rice row

Our Correspondent
KAKCHING, May 25: Regarding the confusion on the issue of quantity of distribution of rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana scheme for NFSA card holders in Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency, Dr Radheshyam Yumnam, MLA of Hiyanglam A/C appealed to all to stay calm and to resolve the issue amicably.
Clarifying regarding the news that the NFSA card holders are getting only 3 kgs of rice each against the set quantity which is to be 5 kgs as declared by the Central Government, he stated that it was found that many employed people from well to do households were among the NFSA card holders which is against the guidelines as the scheme is meant only for poor and needy people.
Accordingly a new rule was set to link the Aadhar with the NFSA card to streamline the process however many were unable to do so as per the set time frame, he added.
Stressing on the issue of second wave of COVID-19, Dr Radheshyam said that it has affected the lives of many in the State therefore with an aim to provide relief to all, the quantity of rice were reduced so that it could be distributed to many households as possible during the difficult time of the pandemic.
Further he said that rice were procured from open market earlier in order to distribute more quantity of rice however the same could not be done this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.
He also stated that process of linking Aadhar with NFSA card is underway and once it is completed the exact quantity of rice will de distributed to the beneficiaries therefore he appealed to all to bear with the inconvenience for the time being.