The government today announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till the end of November this year.
Addressing the nation in a special broadcast on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the provision of food to the needy during lockdown has been the foremost priority of the country. He said, as soon as the lockdown was announced, the government brought about PM Garib KalyanYojana, under which a package of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for the poor was announced.
Prime Minister observed that the enormity of the decision to provide free ration for three months to more than 80 crore people has made the entire world take notice. The number of people who were provided free ration is several times the population of many large countries, he said. Under the scheme, 5 kg free rice/wheat is given to each member of the family, along with one kg pulses to each family, per month.
Prime Minister noted that with the commencement of the rainy season, most of the work takes place in the agriculture sector. Also, several festivals take place one after the other. During this five-month period, more than 80 crore people will be covered under the scheme. It will entail an expenditure of around Rs 90,000 crore.
Prime Minister underlined that the country is moving towards the institution of ‘one nation, one ration card’, which will be of immense benefit to the poor who travel to other states in search of work.
