Gandhinagar, Aug 26 — More than 1.14 crore beneficiaries from over 25 lakh families in Gujarat have received foodgrains under the state's Food Security Scheme over the past five years, with the government distributing wheat, rice and coarse grains either free of cost or at subsidised rates, according to data released by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Wednesday.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki said the state government had taken several measures to strengthen food security under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
"Beneficiaries are provided wheat, rice, sugar, edible oil, gram and coarse grains on a monthly basis and during various festivals," he added.
The data shows that 3,06,026 families, comprising 14,48,943 beneficiaries, were covered under the scheme in 2022-23.
The coverage increased to 5,63,406 families and 25,43,101 beneficiaries in 2023-24.
In 2024-25, 7,49,252 families comprising 34,53,403 beneficiaries availed the benefits, while in 2025-26, 9,20,610 families covering 39,65,325 beneficiaries received foodgrain benefits.
Foodgrain distribution data for the five-year period shows that 26.91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 12.57 lakh metric tonnes of rice were distributed in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, the state distributed 12.66 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 22.70 lakh metric tonnes of rice.
In 2023-24, the distribution comprised 9.20 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 11.03 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 1.28 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains.
This was followed by 10.48 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 11.35 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 0.84 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains in 2024-25.
In 2025-26, 8.76 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 10.45 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 0.88 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains were distributed.
The expenditure on foodgrain distribution was Rs 11,118.10 lakh in 2021-22, including Rs 6,640.04 lakh on wheat and Rs 4,478.06 lakh on rice.
It stood at Rs 11,677.77 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 6,761.85 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 7,665.94 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 7,001.25 lakh in 2025-26.
According to the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, the state government has sought to ensure timely and transparent delivery of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries.