The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) is an initiative by the Indian government that has recently been reactivated in thirteen states. The scheme aims to combat food insecurity that has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and related measures such as complete lockdowns and night curfews. The program seeks to protect vulnerable households by distributing additional food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). This article delves into the specifics of this crucial initiative and highlights some of its key aspects.
Overview of the PMGKAY
The PMGKAY is a part of the broader Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) proposed by the Ministry of Finance to aid the impoverished population in their fight against Covid-19 consequences. The scheme was initially activated for three months, from April to June 2020, during which it covered 80 crore ration cardholders. Although extended till November 2020, the program was suspended until a decision was made to restart it in April 2021.
The Aim of the Scheme
The primary purpose of PMGKAY is to provide each person covered under the National Food Security Act 2013 with an additional 5 kg of grains (wheat or rice) free of cost. This provision is supplementary to the 5 kg of subsidized food grain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). However, it’s important to note that the new iteration of PMGKAY lacks one of its significant components from the 2020 rollout, which provided free-of-cost 1 kg pulses per month to each household covered under the NFSA.
Funding and Expenditure
The Government of India has committed to bearing all expenditure associated with this initiative, which totals over ₹26,000 crores. These costs include the food subsidy along with central assistance to states/Union Territories for intra-state transportation.
Allocation Status
As of now, out of a total monthly allocation of 39.69 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) under the PMGKAY, 15.55 lakh MT have been lifted by states. Furthermore, 1.01 lakh MT have been distributed to 2.03 crore beneficiaries till May 2021.
Challenges Faced
One primary challenge faced by the PMGKAY initiative is that the beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act are based on the last census conducted in 2011. The number of food-insecure people has increased since then; hence, many individuals who are in dire need of such help remain uncovered under the current system.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024