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Free ration scheme to be extended for five more years.
The Union government’s scheme to provide 5 kg of free foodgrains every month to 80 crore Indians.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
PMGKAY is a food security scheme of the Government of India.
This scheme provides free food grains to poor families.
The scheme was launched in during the COVID-19 pandemic and was later extended.
Eligible beneficiaries are given 5 kg of rice or wheat free of cost per person per month.
Beneficiaries get grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Following are the objectives of PMGKAY:
Providing food security to poor families.
Helping people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
controlling food prices.
The beneficiaries of PMGKAY are divided into the following categories:
Beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
Priority Household (PHH) Beneficiaries.
General category beneficiaries.
All schemes under National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Under PMGKAY, the Government of India has allocated a budget of Rs 3.85 trillion in 2022-23 .
Under this scheme, 80. 3 crore beneficiaries are expected to benefit in 2022-23 .
The scheme has helped provide food security to poor families and helped those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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