Cabinet approves distribution of fortified rice on FPS outlets

New Delhi, April 8: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the supply of fortified rice throughout the Public Distribution System in all states and Union Territories by 2024 in a phased manner, Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced on Friday. The entire cost of rice fortification (around Rs. 2,700 crores per annum) will be borne by the Central government as part of the food subsidy till its full implementation up to June 2024. The approval has been given under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman-PM Poshan and other welfare schemes of the government. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies are already engaged in procurement of fortified rice and nearly 88.65 lakh tons of fortified rice have been procured for the supply and distribution. Modi announced last year fortification of rice to provide nutrition to every poor person of the country to overcome malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in women, children and lactating mothers. (UNI)