Mohan Yadav reviews food distribution, directs seamless delivery to all eligible beneficiaries

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Monday reviewed the functioning of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department at the Convention Centre in Khajuraho, and directed officials that the benefits of foodgrain distribution must be ensured for every eligible beneficiary in a timely and seamless manner.

Chief Minister Yadav emphasised that the welfare of poor families, labourers, farmers and women remains the top priority of the State Government.

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The review primarily covered the targeted public distribution system, procurement processes, technological innovations and preparations for Simhastha 2028, during which he praised the department’s innovative efforts and issued directions on other key matters.

Chief Minister Yadav, while appreciating the department’s e‑KYC and ‘rightful targeting’ of eligible beneficiaries, said that this process should be repeated at regular intervals so that every entitled person receives free food grains.

The department had carried out a large-scale campaign of e-KYC and rightful targeting, under which, after phased verification, more than 34 lakh ineligible persons were removed from the portal. Through this process, about 14 lakh beneficiaries from the waiting list were issued new eligibility slips and are now receiving free food grains.

The meeting was informed that to extend free ration to workers registered on the e‑Shram portal, a 29th “priority category” has been created for unorganised and migrant workers. Under this, 7.25 lakh families comprising 25.18 lakh newly added workers are receiving free ration through eligibility slips.

Officials informed that over the past two years, more than 5.25 crore eligible beneficiaries have received 66.37 lakh metric tonnes of free food grains worth Rs 19,935 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, and the number of PDS outlets has also been increased.

Officials said that across Madhya Pradesh, 536.23 lakh eligible beneficiaries are covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013, of whom 93% – that is, 497.08 lakh – have completed e‑KYC. Around 14 lakh new beneficiaries from the waiting list have been issued eligibility slips and are receiving free food grains.

The meeting also noted that to ensure farmers receive better value for their produce, the state government has paid Rs 29,558.40 crore as MSP and Rs 1,965 crore as bonus to wheat farmers selling at MSP during the rabi marketing years 2024–25 and 2025–26. In the kharif marketing years 2023–24 and 2024–25, paddy farmers selling at the support price have been paid Rs 19,208.76 crore as MSP and Rs 337.11 crore as incentive under the Mukhyamantri Krishi Unnati Yojana. To benefit paddy-growing farmers, a record 9.64 lakh metric tonnes of rice have been contributed to the Central Pool in 2024–25. The State Government has also expanded storage capacity to ensure efficient procurement and management of foodgrains.