The Assam government is considering procuring food grains from local farmers for distribution among eligible beneficiaries under government schemes, Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said here on Sunday.
As per a report from the PTI, the Union minister of state for consumer affairs, food & public distribution, and rural development expressed satisfaction at the state government's performance in providing free food grains to beneficiaries under government schemes, said an official statement.
Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti further said that while the state government is procuring food grains from other states currently, it is now considering procuring the grains from local farmers to distribute under government schemes.
The provision of providing free ration to the poor, which started last year when people lost employment due to lockdown, has benefited the public immensely, she added.
The Union minister further said that around 80 crore people are now getting free ration in the country.
She also informed that 5,35,315 houses have been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the North-eastern region, and 4,33,010 of them were built in Assam.