In the wake of the relentless second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s economically weaker sections face unprecedented challenges. Recognising the urgent need for support, the Indian government has extended the Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) 2023. This initiative aims to alleviate hardships by ensuring the provision of ration to those most in need, including street dwellers, ragpickers, hawkers, rickshaw drivers, and migrant workers.
Extending the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana during the Central Budget 2023. The scheme, initially launched in April 2020 during the pandemic, has now been extended for another year. This implies that the central government will continue to provide free ration to impoverished families until 2024. Under the programme, each individual from a poor family is entitled to a monthly allocation of 5kg of ration, free of charge.
PM Garib Kalyan Yojana: A Comprehensive Safety Net
The Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, launched as a part of the Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Package in March 2020, has targeted 800 million beneficiaries. It aims to provide subsidised ration to economically disadvantaged individuals to combat the economic difficulties stemming from the pandemic. The scheme prioritises economically vulnerable families, doubling their regular monthly ration quota.
Staggered Allocation and Distribution of Food Grains
Over the years, the government has executed this initiative in multiple phases, allocating approximately 759 million metric tonnes of food grains to support about 800 million beneficiaries. The execution phases have been characterised by a steady increase in the volume of grains distributed, with about 580 million metric tonnes of grains already distributed. With the extension of the scheme, the government’s commitment to support the needy is unwavering, promising a vital lifeline to India’s economically vulnerable sections amid the pandemic.
The extension of the Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana symbolises the government’s persistent efforts to support those in need during these trying times. The initiative’s robust framework ensures that the lifeline reaches the intended beneficiaries, providing a safety net for millions of economically disadvantaged families across the nation.
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