The central government has announced the extension of the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme' for an additional five years, ensuring the provision of 5 kg of free foodgrains per month to 81 crore poor individuals. The implementation of this extension is set to commence from January 1, 2024.

The PMGKAY scheme has been facilitating the distribution of free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority households (PHH) beneficiaries. The extension of this scheme for the next five years is aimed at continuing this provision of essential food items to the identified beneficiaries.

Under the scheme, free food grains are supplied to eligible households, including those falling under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority households. The extension, effective from the beginning of the year 2024, is part of the government's ongoing efforts to address the food security needs of vulnerable and economically disadvantaged sections of the population.

Providing specifics on the government's recent announcement, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur highlighted that approximately 13.50 crore Indians have lifted themselves above the poverty line in the past five years. "This is a big achievement of the Modi Government. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was introduced. It has been decided that this scheme would be extended for the next five years with effect from 1st January 2024," Thakur added. The minister highlighted that the expenditure on the scheme is estimated to be around Rs 11.8 lakh crore over the next five years.

In December of the previous year, the Centre opted to integrate the PMGKAY with the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Launched in 2020, the PMGKAY aimed to offer additional food grains free of cost. The NFSA covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population through two categories — Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households.

AAY households, representing the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, while priority households receive 5 kg per person per month. Government officials note that the NFSA 2013 mandates coverage for up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population, totaling 81.35 crore people according to Census 2011.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is a component of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative designed to supply free food grains to migrants and the impoverished. The scheme ensures the distribution of 5 kg of food grain to each family holding a ration card at no cost, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidized food grain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Wheat allocations have been made to six States/UTs — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat — while rice has been distributed to the remaining States/UTs.

Image source: India Today