The authorities on Wednesday introduced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for an additional three months until December 2022. The choice was taken in a gathering of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an announcement, the federal government mentioned, “At a time when the world is grappling with the impression of COVID on its decline and insecurity attributable to numerous causes, India has efficiently maintained meals safety for its weak sections by taking essential steps to keep up availability. is preserving. and energy for the frequent man. ,
“Recognizing that the folks have gone by way of the tough part of the pandemic, the federal government has determined to increase the PMGKAY for a interval of three months in order that the poor and weaker sections of the society are lined throughout the upcoming main festivals like Navratri, Dussehra, Milad-un-Nabi. to be supported. , Deepawali, Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, Christmas, and so forth which they’ll rejoice with nice gaiety and group for the festivities.
“With a view to ensure that, the Govt. has approved this extension of PMGKAY by three months, so that they can take advantage of easy availability of food grains without any financial crunch,” the assertion issued after the cupboard assembly mentioned. Can you
Briefing media individuals on the choices of the cupboard, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur mentioned that the cupboard has authorized the seventh part of PMGKAY for 3 months (October-December 2022).
Thakur mentioned {that a} complete of Rs 3.45 lakh crore has been spent to date on all of the six phases of PMGKAY. Rs 44,762 crore shall be spent within the seventh part of PMGKAY, he mentioned, including that 122 lakh metric tonnes of meals grains shall be distributed amongst 80 crore beneficiaries throughout the nation.
The authorities launched PMGKAY in 2020 throughout the first wave of COVID-19. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries of NFSA (National Food Security Act) are offered free meals grains on the price of 5 kg per particular person per thirty days. The sixth part of PMGKAY is scheduled to finish on September 30, 2022. However, a number of days earlier than the deadline, the federal government prolonged the scheme for an additional three months.
The choice assumes significance in view of the upcoming meeting elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the place the BJP is in energy. The free ration scheme is extensively thought of to be a key issue within the BJP’s victory within the just lately held state meeting elections, particularly the Uttar Pradesh meeting elections held earlier this 12 months.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
