Cabinet approves continuation of supply of free fortified rice up to December 2028
The central government has decided to continue supplying free fortified rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana until December 2028. This program aims to distribute fortified rice through TPDS, ICDS, and PM POSHAN across all states and Union Territories, addressing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in the country.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ongoing universal supply of fortified rice across all government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and various welfare initiatives. According to a government press release, this decision will be effective from July 2024 and extend until December 2028.
The rice fortification initiative will continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy), thus providing a unified institutional mechanism for implementation. This aligns with the Prime Minister's call for enhanced nutritional security during his address on the 75th Independence Day.
The program aims to supply fortified rice through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), and PM POSHAN (formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) in all states and Union Territories. This initiative is particularly crucial in addressing issues related to anemia and micronutrient deficiencies, which remain prevalent in the country.
In April 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a phased implementation of the rice fortification initiative, which is set to be completed by March 2024. All phases of this project have been successfully executed, achieving the goal of universal coverage for fortified rice supply across all government schemes.
Recent findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, highlight that anemia is a significant public health issue in India, affecting individuals across various demographics. In addition to iron deficiency, many are also lacking in vital vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B12 and folic acid, negatively impacting health and productivity.
Food fortification has emerged as a globally recognized strategy to combat anemia and micronutrient malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations. With approximately 65% of India's population relying on rice as a staple food, rice fortification offers an effective means to deliver essential micronutrients. This process involves integrating Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), enriched with iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 according to FSSAI standards, into regular rice supplies.
