Under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), about 600 lakh tonnes of food grains have been distributed to the different states for free distribution. 83 percent of the food grains have been stored by September 15. PMGKAY was announced by the Modi government last year at the Center to overcome the problem faced by the poor at the time of Corona.
Under the National Food Security Act, the central government is giving an additional quantity of five kg food grains per person per month free of cost to more than 80 crore beneficiaries. Initially, this additional free benefit under PMGKAY was granted for a period of three months from April 2020 to June 2020.
During the time of corona, the program was extended for another five months from July 2020 to November 2020. PMGKAY was once again resumed for two months from May 2021 to June 2021 during the second wave. It is now extended for another five months. This benefit to ration cardholders is being given from July to November 2021.
Significantly, in the midst of the crisis caused by Corona, the Central Government had implemented the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. This government scheme is to provide relief to the ration card holder families. So far, the Government of India has allocated about 600 lakh tonnes of food grains under the PMGKAY scheme. Under the NFSA, 5 kg of food grains is being provided by the government per person per month to over 80 crore people at a highly subsidized rate of Rs 1-3 per kg. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) provides 35 kg per month per family.
During the fourth phase, Andaman and Nicobar has topped in terms of lifting of food grains. 93 percent of the food grains have been lifted by the UT Andaman and Nicobar. Odisha ranked third by lifting 92 percent food grains, Tripura and Meghalaya ranked 73 percent.
Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly said that providing food to the poor is a priority for the government. To overcome the problem of rising prices, government ministers are often seen saying that the poor are the top priority for the government.
