Cabinet approves expansion of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 29-11-2023

Cabinet approves expansion of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Government Scheme 4 min read

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for the next five years.

The scheme will be extended for the next five years from January 1, 2024.
Under this scheme, five kilograms of food grains(wheat or rice) are distributed free of cost every month to 81 crore poor people of the country.
The Government of India will spend Rs 11 lakh 80 thousand crore for the scheme.

Several other proposals have been approved in the meeting -

The Union Cabinet has also approved the Drone Sakhi Scheme, under which women will be given training to fly drones.
Under this scheme, drones will be provided to 15 thousand selected self-help groups during 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Under the scheme, the woman flying the drone will also be given an honorarium of Rs 15 thousand per month and her assistant will be given Rs 10 thousand per month.
The scheme will continue till 2026.
A plan expenditure of Rs 1261 crore has been allocated for this scheme.
Apart from this, it has also been agreed in the cabinet meeting to continue the fast track special court under Rape and POCSO Act till 2026.

What is PMGKAY?

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was announced by the Central Government in April 2020 after the outbreak of Covid.
It was designed to provide 5 kg of free food grains per person per month to eligible ration card holders under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
Under NFSA, rice is made available to the people by the government at subsidized rates of Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg and coarse grains at Rs 1 per kg.
In December last year, the Center merged PMGKAY with NFSA and decided to provide free food grains to the beneficiaries as per their entitlement under NFSA for one year starting January 2023.
The Finance Ministry is its nodal ministry.

National Food Security Act (NFSA):

Notified: September 10, 2013.
Coverage: To provide food grains at subsidized rates to 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Eligibility:
As per the guidelines of the State Government, priority families have been covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Families covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

FAQ

Ans - The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for the next five years from January 1, 2024.

Ans - PMGKAY was first introduced in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ans – The Finance Ministry acts as its nodal ministry.

Ans - Under this scheme, five kilograms of food grains are distributed free of cost every month to 81 crore poor people of the country.

Ans- September 10, 2013