PMGKAY Update: The Government has allocated 1,118 lakh tonnes of foodgrains to states and union territories for free distribution under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) so far, with a food subsidy outlay of around 3.91 lakh crore, according to a statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
"In the 2020-21 fiscal year, 1,13,185 crore was allocated to implement the PMGKAY, followed by 1,47,212 crore in 2021-22 and 1,30,600 crore in 2022-23," the ministry said.
In March 2020, PMGKAY was launched to provide free 5 kg foodgrains per person per month to approximately 80 crore beneficiaries covered by the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The free rationing scheme was implemented to alleviate the hardship of the beneficiaries during the lockdown imposed due to the then-raging coronavirus. The free grains are provided in excess of the NFSA's normal quota at a heavily subsidised rate of Rs 2-3 per kg.
Since then, the scheme has been extended several times and is now valid until December 2022.
"So far, the Department has allocated approximately 1118 LMT foodgrains to the States/UTs under the scheme." PMGKAY Phase VII (October-December 2022) is currently operational in all States/UTs, according to the ministry.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the world's largest food security scheme, aims to provide enough food for the poor and needy during the coronavirus crisis. It was announced as part of the first COVID-19 pandemic relief package.
Food must be provided to all beneficiaries under the public distribution system (TPDS) for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority household (PHH) ration cardholders as part of the scheme.
