The move also comes as the opposition criticises the government for discontinuing the free monthly distribution of 5 kilogrammes of foodgrains to poor people under the PMGKAY scheme. This programme, which began in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, ended in December of last year.
The government decided to incorporate PMGKAY into two existing food subsidy schemes last month, and as a result, the new integrated food security scheme went into effect.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) is the name given by the Central Government to its integrated food security scheme, under which free foodgrains will be distributed to more than 80 crore poor people beginning January 1.
The move also comes as the opposition criticises the government for discontinuing the free monthly distribution of 5 kilogrammes of foodgrains to poor people under the PMGKAY scheme.
This programme, which began in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, ended in December of last year. The government decided to incorporate PMGKAY into two existing food subsidy schemes last month, and as a result, the new integrated food security scheme went into effect.
"The new scheme has been named Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)," according to a statement from the food ministry. With the welfare of the beneficiaries in mind, and in order to maintain consistency across states, free foodgrains will be provided under the PMGKAY to poor beneficiaries as per their entitlement under the National Food Security Act for the year 2023.
Under the NFSA, priority households are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per month, while Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) families are entitled to 35 kg per family per month. NFSA beneficiaries received their foodgrain entitlement at a highly subsidized rate of 1, 2, and 3 per kg for coarse cereals, wheat, and rice, respectively, until December 2022. They will now receive it for free this year.
The ministry claims that the necessary steps have already been taken to ensure the smooth implementation of the PMGKAY in the field. Officials from the ministry and the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) are meeting with state government officials on a regular basis to ensure the smooth implementation of the new scheme.
In 2023, the Central Government will spend more than 2 lakh crore on food subsidies through the NFSA and other welfare schemes to alleviate the financial burden of the poor.
