Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit today kickstarted distribution of foodgrains under the highly subsidised Food Security Programme at four places in the national capital. Under the scheme, food grains will be provided to identified beneficiaries at three rupees per kilogram for rice, two rupees per kilogram for wheat and one rupee per kilogram for coarse cereals

Mrs Dikshit distributed foodgrains to beneficiaries at Lakshmibai Nagar, South Kidwai Nagar, Krishna Menon Marg, Sangli Apartment and Copernicus Marg in Central Delhi. Addressing a gathering at Lakshmibai Nagar, Mrs Dikshit said her government has identified 35 lakh beneficiaries for the scheme so far. She said 73 lakh people will be benefited by January next year.

The Delhi Chief Minister said the National Food Security Programme would go a long way in overcoming hunger and alleviating poverty across the country besides enhancing the status of women. It was launched in Delhi on 20th of last month by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. At the launch of the ambitious scheme, Sheila Dikshit had said that foodgrains under the programme would be distributed from today. The National Food Security Programme seeks to provide affordable food grains to about 82 crore people in the country, ushering in the biggest programme in the world to fight hunger.