The Indian Government has recently extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) until December 2022. This initiative is a significant component of the nation’s efforts to combat food insecurity, particularly during challenging times, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. PM-GKAY and other similar schemes play a crucial role in ensuring that India’s weaker sections have access to adequate food supplies.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)
Launched as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), PM-GKAY was designed to provide additional food grains to those covered by the National Food Security Act 2013 during the Covid-19 crisis. Every beneficiary was eligible to receive an extra 5 kg of rice or wheat for free, beyond their 5 kg subsidised grain quota accessible through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Initially introduced for three months (April to June 2020), it benefitted around 80 crore ration cardholders and was later extended till September 2022. The Ministry of Finance oversees this scheme. Migrant workers and other beneficiaries can avail of the free ration under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan from nearly 5 lakh ration shops across India. The budget for PM-GKAY across all stages is projected to be approximately Rs. 3.91 lakh crore.
Challenges Facing PM-GKAY
Despite its success, PM-GKAY faces significant challenges. The current list of beneficiaries, based on the 2011 census, does not cover the increased number of food-insecure people. Notably, the scheme significantly burdens the government financially and requires an abundant supply of affordable grains. In 2022, after irregular weather patterns harmed harvests, leading to heightened pressure on food prices and global agricultural markets, India had to limit wheat and rice exports.
The PM-GKAY scheme could potentially threaten the government’s aim to reduce the fiscal deficit to 6.4% of the gross domestic product. Moreover, implementing the program might lead to inflation, as both rice and wheat prices, which contribute about 10% of India’s retail inflation, have been rising due to lower production caused by a heatwave and uneven monsoon.
Related Initiatives by the Government
Besides PM-GKAY, the Indian Government has launched several other programs to combat food insecurity, including the National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Integrated Schemes on Oilseeds, Pulses, Palm oil and Maize (ISOPOM), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and National Food Security Act (NFSA). These initiatives collectively strive to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India.
One can find questions about these schemes and their impacts, notably the features of the National Food Security Act, 2013, in previous years’ UPSC Civil Services Examination papers. This highlights the importance and relevance of these initiatives in the context of India’s public policy and socio-economic landscape.
