06 Apr, Delhi: A total of 269 districts in 27 states have started distributing fortified rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), achieving a 100% target set for Phase II by March 2023 in Rice Fortification Programme, informed Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary Department of Food and Public Distribution while addressing media persons here today.He added that about 105 LMT of Fortified Rice was lifted by Phase II targeted 27 States/UTs for PDS distribution. In addition, about 29 LMT was lifted by the States/UTs under ICDS and PM POSHAN in Phase II, making a total of about 134 LMT fortified rice lifted in the FY 2022-23. Now under Phase III, the department is geared to complete the coverage of all remaining districts excluding wheat-consuming ones before the targeted date of March 2024.Phase-I covered ICDS and PM POSHAN. It was implemented during 2021-22 and nearly 17.51 LMT had been distributed in the States/UTs.Consequent to the announcement by the Hon’ble PM in his address on the 75th Independence Day (15th August 2021) for supplying Fortified Rice in every Social Safety Net Scheme of the Government of India throughout the country by 2024 in a phased manner, steady progress has been made during the last two years.