India Releases ₹70,000 Crore in Food Subsidies Amid Surplus Grain Stocks

The Indian government has disbursed over ₹70,000 crore in food subsidies to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the fiscal year 2026-27.

This move is expected to help manage working capital and mitigate the rising economic costs of carrying surplus grain stocks.

The finance ministry has been releasing expenses towards food subsidy in a timely manner, ensuring that the FCI doesn't rely heavily on short-term loans and cash credit limits.

The allocation of food subsidy is largely used for supplying free rice and wheat to over 800 million people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme, as well as maintaining a buffer stock.