NEW DELHI, 21 April 2020: Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme during the lockdown period from 24 March 2020 till 20 April 2020, about 8.89 crore (88.9 million) farmer families have been benefitted and an amount of INR 17,793 crore has been released so far.

During the same period, in order to provide food security during the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has decided to distribute pulses to the eligible households under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKY). About 107,077.85 metric tonnes pulses have so far been issued to the States/UTs.

Pulses distributed to over 195 million

The pulses have been distributed to over 19.5 crore (195 million) households under PMGKY spread across 36 States and Union territories.

Under PMGKY, the States/UTs namely A&N, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat have commenced the distribution of pulses to the beneficiaries.

Other States like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have received the partial stock and will commence the distribution to the beneficiaries in phased manner as per their plan.