The recent news is abuzz with demands from various states for an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
Initiated as a significant element of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), the PMGKAY was launched to aid the impoverished in their fight against Covid-19. Announced for the period of April through June 2020, the scheme covers approximately 80 crore ration card holders. Scheduled to end on June 30th, 2020, PMGKAY’s aim was to provide an additional 5kg grains (either wheat or rice) for free to each person covered under the National Food Security Act. This was over and above the 5kg of subsidised foodgrain provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Beneficiaries also received 1 kg of pulses for free, based on regional preferences.
Performance of the Scheme
As per the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, around 116.02 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of food grains have been lifted under this scheme. A performance analysis reveals that in April, about 93% of food grains were distributed among 74.05 crore beneficiaries. The distribution was at 91% in May, impacting approximately 72.99 crore beneficiaries. For the month of June, the distribution was limited to 71%, benefiting around 56.81 crore people.
Sufficient Food Stock
The Central Government has reported that the Food Corporation of India holds a “sufficient stock of food grains”. As of June 28, the inventory comprised 266.29 LMT rice and 550.31 LMT wheat, excluding the ongoing purchase of wheat and paddy stocks that have not yet reached the godowns. Roughly, a distribution of 55 LMT of food grains is required each month for ration card holders.
Issues Involved
Despite an excess of food stock, the country faces hunger on a large scale. Nearly 200 million beneficiaries were not able to receive their ration in April 2020 under the PMGKAY scheme. In the same month, the government permitted the conversion of surplus rice into ethanol, a critical component of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The onset of monsoon season presents a risk of food grain damage due to potential water exposure and growth of mould.
Way Forward
It is crucial to maintain the provision of food grains under the PMGKAY scheme until the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic subside significantly. With many economic activities still not operating at full capacity and widespread unemployment, India’s buffer stocks of food grains, maintained specifically for emergencies like this, come in handy. A universal Public Distribution System (PDS) should be implemented to ensure that nobody is left out.