5 KG FREE FOODGRAINS FOR POOR EXTENDED FOR 5 YEARS

The cabinet approved the extension of PMGKAY from January 1, 2024, committing around Rs 11.8 lakh crore for sustained provision of essential food supplies to the needy.

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In a landmark decision, the Indian government, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for an additional five years, aiming to provide crucial support to approximately 80 crore underprivileged individuals. This initiative, first introduced in 2020 as a response to the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, offers 5 kilograms of free food grains per month to eligible beneficiaries, supplementing the existing subsidized grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The recent cabinet meeting ratified the extension of PMGKAY, slated to commence from January 1, 2024, ensuring a sustained provision of essential food supplies to those in need. Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, disclosed that the projected expenditure for this extended period would amount to approximately Rs 11.8 lakh crore. schemes into PMGKAY, the administration seeks to fortify the efficacy and uniformity of the NFSA implementation, thus reinforcing the country’s food security network.