Sonia demands free food grains for poor till September

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

Aus Open: Sinner survives early test to begin title defense

World Number one Jannik Sinner emerged victorious 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1 against Chile’s Ni

Shiva Thapa, Sachin Siwach shine on Day 2 of men’s Boxing Nationals

Freya Deshmane wins gold in first Winter Horse Show organised by Amateur Riders’ Club

Salah sets Premier League record in Liverpool's draw at Newcastle

India Open Competition in Shotgun begins in Jaipur, paving way for Nationals' qualification

Hockey India names Amir Ali-led 20-man team for Junior Asia Cup

MORE...

Sonia demands free food grains for poor till September

Last Updated : 23 Jun 2020 08:53:56 AM IST

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding extension of free food grains for the poor and needy for a period of three months till September.

She said, since the lockdown was announced 3 months ago millions of people are on the verge of "slipping into poverty" and the adverse impact has led to food "insecurity."

In the letter Sonia Gandhi said, "The Union government must consider extending the provision for free food grains for further period of three months till September 2020, as several states have requested for the same."

The Congress interim chief also demanded temporary ration cards should be provided as many poor families are excluded from the PDS.

She said that the government already has provision of 5 kgs of foodgrains per person till June through Antyodya Scheme and National Food Security Act, and the government has also extended this facility to migrants who are not covered in PDS.

She said due to the pandemic and lockdown both urban and poor Indians are facing hunger and thus the food entitlement scheme should be extended.