Scope for 1.24 crore more beneficiaries under NFSA: minister

New Delhi, Jul 28: THERE IS a scope for identification of 1.24 crore more beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013 by the state governments, in addition to the existing 80.11 crore beneficiaries of the food security law, show the latest data available with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. If these beneficiaries are identified, they will become eligible to avail of the Centre's free foodgrains scheme — Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) — which is being implemented from January 1 to December 31 during 2024. The NFSA provides for coverage of up to 75 per cent of rural population and up to 50 per cent of urban population, which at Census 2011 figures comes to 81.35 crore persons.