Raipur: The ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY),’ the central government’s free food grain distribution initiative, has been extended for an additional five years. The Prime Minister made this announcement during an election rally in Chhattisgarh.
The PMGKAY scheme, which was set to expire on December 31, 2023, has received a five-year extension starting January 1, 2024. The extension, as declared by the Prime Minister, aims to continue supporting over eighty crore beneficiaries across the country.
PMGKAY was launched in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was initiated to address concerns about food security for the poor people during these times. The scheme primarily benefits Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries and those belonging to priority households (PHH).
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur affirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare initiative, stating that the central government will allocate 11.8 crore rupees for the project over the next five years.
“At the time of Corona, the concern of the poor people of the country was how they would feed their children. Then the central government’s aim was that the people of the country would not be allowed to starve. PMGKAY was launched as a part of it,” said the Prime Minister.
PMGKAY Scheme Background
PMGKAY was introduced on March 26, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. PMGKAY operates under the Department of Food and Public Distribution within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. The scheme stands as the largest food security programme globally.
Under PMGKAY, eligible beneficiaries receive 5 kg of rice or wheat per person and 1 kg of dal, all provided free of cost. The scheme operates through the Public Distribution System (PDS) for ration card holders, including those identified under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme.
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