<p> The Maharashtra government said on Wednesday that the five kg of free rice promised by the Centre for ration card-holders will be distributed only after they buy their regular quota of grains at Fair Price Shops.</p>.<p>This decision was taken as otherwise stocking of food grains and their transportation would pose a problem, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said in a statement.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-west-bengal-reports-two-new-deaths-indias-toll-rises-to-49-817763.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates of coronavirus cases in India here</strong></a></p>.<p>Free rice -- announced by the Centre last month as part of a relief package during lockdown on account of coronavirus -- would be provided every month from April to June and not in one go, he said.</p>.<p>The opposition BJP has been demanding distribution of free rice on priority basis.</p>.<p>Bhujbal said the Maharashtra government had already decided to distribute regular quota of food grains at ration shops for April, May and June in advance.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-deaths-on-april-1-819847.html?_ga=2.70290133.434843333.1585729476-2033073023.1584952646" target="_blank"><strong>Track state-wise confirmed COVID-19 cases here</strong></a></p>.<p>Stocking rice for distribution under the Centre's package alongwith three months' worth of foodgrains will be difficult for ration shops, he said.</p>.<p>More than two lakh ration card-holders in the state bought regular quota of food grains on Wednesday, Bhujbal further informed. </p>
<p> The Maharashtra government said on Wednesday that the five kg of free rice promised by the Centre for ration card-holders will be distributed only after they buy their regular quota of grains at Fair Price Shops.</p>.<p>This decision was taken as otherwise stocking of food grains and their transportation would pose a problem, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said in a statement.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-west-bengal-reports-two-new-deaths-indias-toll-rises-to-49-817763.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates of coronavirus cases in India here</strong></a></p>.<p>Free rice -- announced by the Centre last month as part of a relief package during lockdown on account of coronavirus -- would be provided every month from April to June and not in one go, he said.</p>.<p>The opposition BJP has been demanding distribution of free rice on priority basis.</p>.<p>Bhujbal said the Maharashtra government had already decided to distribute regular quota of food grains at ration shops for April, May and June in advance.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-deaths-on-april-1-819847.html?_ga=2.70290133.434843333.1585729476-2033073023.1584952646" target="_blank"><strong>Track state-wise confirmed COVID-19 cases here</strong></a></p>.<p>Stocking rice for distribution under the Centre's package alongwith three months' worth of foodgrains will be difficult for ration shops, he said.</p>.<p>More than two lakh ration card-holders in the state bought regular quota of food grains on Wednesday, Bhujbal further informed. </p>