PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana extended, beneficiaries to get free ration till Diwali

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jun 07, 2021:      Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till Diwali this year to ensure free ration is provided to those in need.

 

As part of the central scheme, 80 crore Indians will receive a fixed quantity of food grains per month till November, he added.

“In this time of pandemic, the government is standing by the poor in their every need, as their partner," PM Modi said during an address to the nation.

The food security welfare scheme was announced by the central government in March 2020 to ameliorate distress caused by Covid-19. It aims to feed the poorest citizens of the country by providing grain through the Public Distribution System, all ration card holders and those identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme.

According to data available in the public domain, 55 crore beneficiaries received free food grains in May under the PMGKAY scheme. For the month of June, the number of beneficiaries stood at 2.6 crore.

Furthermore, around 28 lakh MT food grains have been distributed by 34 states and Union Territories for May 2021 and around 1.3 lakh MT food grains have been distributed in June 2021.The food subsidy incurred for PMGKAY, so far, for May and June is more than Rs 9,200 crore, said Department of Food and Public Distribution secretary Sudhanshu Pandey.

Courtesy:India Today