Free Ration Update: Regarding PMGKAY, the Center asked FCI to continue allocating free grains to the states and union territories.
On behalf of the Central Government, the states have been asked to continue taking free food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), because this scheme has now been extended by the Center for the next five years. Earlier this scheme was ending on 31st December.
According to the report of Financial Express, a message has been given by the Food Ministry to FCI to continue distributing food grains free of cost to the states and union territories till further orders.
5 year plan extended
On behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an election rally in Chhattisgarh, the free ration scheme, which was ending in December 2023, was extended for the next five years. The information sent by the government to FCI is being considered as a step forward to extend the scheme for five years.
Let us tell you that in addition to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government is likely to spend an additional Rs 15,000 crore on distribution of free ration. Under AFSA, the government already provides grains on subsidy. According to official estimates, about Rs 11 lakh crore will be required to run the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana as scheduled.
FCI’s cost of rice and wheat is estimated to be Rs 39.18 per kg and Rs 27.03 per kg in the financial year 2023-24, which was Rs 35.62 per kg and Rs 27.03 per kg in the financial year 2021-22. .
PMGKAY launched in 2020
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was launched by the government in April 2020 during Corona. Under this scheme, the government provides free 5 kg food grains worth about Rs 80 crore.
