Cabinet approves extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) for another 6 months

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) scheme for another six months, i.e., till September 2022. This will be the sixth phase of PM-GKAY. The Phase V of the scheme was to end in March 2022.

What is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana(PM-GKAY)?

Launched in: April 2020.

Aim: To ensure sufficient food for the poor and needy during the coronavirus crisis.

Nodal Ministry: Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Salient features of the scheme

Under the scheme, each beneficiary will get an additional 5 kg free ration per person per month in addition to his normal quota of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act(NFSA).This means that every poor household would get nearly double the normal quantity of ration.

The scheme will cover nearly 80 crore beneficiaries across India and would be fully funded by the Government of India.

The benefit of the free ration can also be availed through portability by any migrant labour or beneficiary under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan from nearly 5 lakh ration shops across the country. 

Source: This post is based on the article “Cabinet approves extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) for another 6 months” published in PIB on 26th March 2022.