Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to be extended

  • IASbaba
  • July 1, 2020
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Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to be extended

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Welfare Schemes

In news: 

  • The scheme was announced as part of the first relief package during the COVID-19 pandemic for a three-month period.

Rationale behind the scheme – 

  • To ensure that the poorest of the poor were not left hungry.
  • Under this scheme, for the next five months, 5 kg of free rice or wheat, and 1 kg of chana will be provided free.
  • 80 crore individuals would be covered under this scheme.
  • It is a Rs 1.7-lakh crore financial package announced by the government to minimise the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on economy and poor.

Do you know?

  • The existing National Food Security Act provides 5kg of foodgrain per person monthly at a subsidised rate of Rs 2-3 per kg to the country’s poor. 
  • Under the PMGKY, the ration quota was enhanced by another 5 kg for free for the next three months in March. (and now extended till November)

Important value additions:

National Food Security Act 

  • Government of India enacted the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). 
  • The Act covers upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population. 
  • The targeted population shall receive subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System, thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
  • Ministry involved: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

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