The central government has made an important announcement on Wednesday. The Food Ministry said that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), free food grains will be provided to more than 80 crore people by December.
Let us tell you that recently while addressing a public meeting in Durg, Chhattisgarh, the PM had said that the free ration scheme has been extended for the next five years. Let us know about it in detail.
The central government on Wednesday said it will provide free food grains to more than 80 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of one year from January 1, 2023. Accordingly, this scheme will remain in effect till December this year.
PM had announced to extend the scheme by five years
Recently, while addressing a rally in Durg (Chhattisgarh), Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the free ration scheme has been extended for the next five years. The opposition Congress party had called this announcement a violation of the election code of conduct. At present, assembly elections are being held in five states.
The scheme was started in the year 2020
In an official statement, the Food Ministry said that the Central Government is providing free food grains to the beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) under PMGKAY for a period of one year from January 1, 2023. In December last year, the central government had decided to include PMGKAY in the National Food Security Act (NFSA). PMGKAY was launched in 2020 to provide additional food grains free of cost.
Under NFSA, 75 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population are being covered under two categories – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) Scheme. The ministry said the free grains are being distributed to relieve the financial burden of poor beneficiaries and ensure effective implementation of NFSA.
