80 crore people will get free grains by December, central government made important announcement
The central government has made an important announcement on Wednesday. The Food Ministry said that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), free food grains will be provided to more than 80 crore people by December. Let us tell you that recently while addressing a public meeting in Durg, Chhattisgarh, the PM had said that the free ration scheme has been extended for the next five years.
The central government on Wednesday said it will provide free food grains to more than 80 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of one year from January 1, 2023. Accordingly, this scheme will remain in force till December this year.
Recently, while addressing a rally in Durg (Chhattisgarh), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the free ration scheme has been extended for the next five years. The opposition Congress party had called this announcement a violation of the election code of conduct. At present, assembly elections are being held in five states.
In an official statement, the Food Ministry said that the Central Government is providing free food grains to the beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) under PMGKAY for a period of one year from January 1, 2023. In December last year, the central government decided to include PMGKAY in the National Food Security Act (NFSA). PMGKAY was launched in 2020 to provide additional food grains free of cost.
Under NFSA, 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population are being covered under two categories – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) Scheme. The ministry said the free grains are being distributed to relieve the financial burden of poor beneficiaries and ensure effective implementation of NFSA.
