Cabinet approves free ration for next five years

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The Cabinet on Wednesday announced that it has approved GoI’s proposal to continue the distribution of 5 kg of free foodgrains to the poor people of the country right up till December 2028. According to the GoI’s press release, the government had proposed to continue free food grain distribution to reduce the financial burden of the poor people. The GoI distributes 5kg of free food grains to poor people every month under the  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

The GoI has provided free foodgrains to poor people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme since April 1, 2020, after the lockdown was imposed to curb rising Covid-19 cases. Since, then, the government has been providing 5kg of free food over and above the 5kg of subsidised food  that it has been already providing under the National Food Security Act, 2013. Poor people already get 5kg of free food grains every month at subsidised rate in the range of Rs 2-3/kg. So far, the government has covered 81 crore people under the NFSA, 2013. While, 80 crore people are covered under the PMGKAY.

Who GoI classifies as poor people in the country?

Those beneficiaries who are enrolled under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY )and Priority Households (PHH)  are eligible for 5 kg of free foodgrains under the PMGKAY. While, all those who have ration cards get free food grains under the NFSA, 2013. People who are enrolled under both the PMGKAY and are covered under the NFSA, 2013, they get their rations from Fair Price Shops in their locality.  These shos are also known as Ration Shops.

While, 75 per cent of rural population and 50 per cent of urban population are covered under the NFSA, 2013.

The impoverished in the country get total of 10 kg of foodgrains under both the food distribution schemes of the central government.

According to Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister, Anurag Thakur, the governmengt would incur Rs 11.8 lakh crore for giving 5 kg of free foodgrains until December 2028.