New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Saturday decided to extend the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana by another six months to provide free foodgrain to economically weaker sections.
The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is a food security welfare scheme announced by the Government of India on March 26, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
The scheme aims to feed the poorest citizens of India by providing grain through the Public Distribution System, to all the priority households – ration card holders and those identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme.
PMGKAY provides 5 kg of rice or wheat per person, according to regional dietary preferences, and 1 kg of dal to each family holding a ration card. The scale of this welfare scheme makes it the largest food security program in the world.
On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced extension of Uttar Pradesh government’s free ration scheme covering 15 crore people for three months up to June, his first decision after returning to power.
The free ration schemes of Center and State governments were among the key issues raised by BJP leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Adityanath, during the recent poll campaigns.
After winning UP for the second time in a row, PM Modi had said the the election results highlight people’s stamp of strong approval for the party’s pro-poor and pro-active governance model.Â
