India extends Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for another five years

A government release notes successful implementation of fortified rice supply, and progress in digitising ration cards and automating Fair Price Shops.

File photo of workers unloading sacks of foodgrain in a godown | Representational image | ANI

New Delhi: The Department of Food & Public Distribution has announced milestones achieved in 2024, including the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), successful implementation of fortified rice supply, and progress in digitizing ration cards and automating Fair Price Shops (FPSs).

 

The PMGKAY, an initiative launched to combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended for another five years. The free food grains will ensure effective and uniform implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and will further strengthen the choice-based One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) platform.

Under the scheme, approximately 80.67 crore beneficiaries currently receive free food grains, ensuring nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the National food security Act (NFSA), a PIB press release noted. The PMGKAY has allocated a total of 1118 LMT food grains over 28 months, with a planned financial outlay of 3.91 lakh crore.

In a move towards healthier food options, the Department started an initiative to replace custom-milled rice with fortified rice, benefiting consumers across the country.

The release also noted that 100% of ration cards under the NFSA have been digitised across India, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the distribution of subsidized food grains.

Other notable achievements, the release noted, include the Credit Guarantee Scheme, which has facilitated increased post-harvest lending against e-NWRs, thereby improving farmers’ income while route optimization of food grains has saved foreign exchange and reduced CO2 emissions.