BJP Lauds Modi For Extending PM Food Grain Scheme For Next 6 Months

The BJP Parliamentary Party presented a vote of thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for the next six months.

Free ration was distributed to the needy during Anna Mahotsav under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana in Ghaziabad, India, on August 5, 2021. (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Party presented a vote of thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for the next six months, at the BJP Parliamentary meeting held at the Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is a pro-poor package intended to reduce the challenges encountered by the poor as a result of disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The immediate goal was to ensure that no poor or vulnerable person or household went hungry. Under the scheme, all National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries are entitled to five kilograms of free food grain every month. This is over and above the highly subsidised food grains available to NFSA beneficiaries.

According to a resolution passed by the BJP Parliamentary Party, the members said it is worth mentioning that despite the spread of Covid-19 decreasing continuously, the Prime Minister has expanded the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana scheme, giving utmost importance to the welfare of the poor.

The members wrote in the resolution that this once again reveals the deep concern, care, empathy and sensitivity of the Prime Minister towards the poor, weaker sections of the society and the middle class which have been most affected by the biggest global pandemic of the century. 

At a time when the whole world is feeling the food inflation due to international reasons, the vision of the Prime Minister has brought important help in the lives of 80 crore people, the resolution stated. 

The members said that the distribution of free food grains to the needy people coming under the NFSA from April to September 2022 shows the natural attachment of the Prime Minister to the poor. For this, Rs 80,000 crore will be spent by the central government and 240 lakh metric tonnes of food grains will be distributed under this scheme.

The BJP Parliamentary Party expressed its gratitude and sincere thanks to the Prime Minister for running the world's largest food security program and distributing 1000 lakh metric tonnes of food grains to 80 crore needy people for 25 months at a cost of Rs.3.4 lakh crore, as part of the program. 

“In the difficult times of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Honourable Prime Minister has ensured that no one in the country goes hungry,” the members wrote in the resolution.

The BJP Parliamentary Party also said it is relevant here that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was at its end and no one expected its expansion, but the Prime Minister nevertheless expanded it due to his deep faith in the poor. “For this, the BJP Parliamentary Party specially expresses its gratitude to the Prime Minister,” the members said.

The BJP Parliamentary Party also mentioned in the resolution that Hindu New Year Vikram Samvat is celebrated in different parts of the country by different names like Gudipadwa, Ugadi, Naba Bursa, Sajibu Nongma Panba (Sajibu Cheiraoba), among others.

“On the occasion of Navratri, it is a unique gift of the Prime Minister to the poor so that every household keeps the stove burning,” the members stated. 

What Are The Benefits Of The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana?

As many as 80 crore beneficiaries are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. These include all NFSA beneficiaries. According to the Act, 75 per cent of rural and 50 per cent of urban population is entitled to receive highly subsidised foodgrains under two categories of beneficiaries – Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH).

The beneficiaries are automatically covered, can avail the free food grains from Fair Price Shops using their existing NFSA ration cards, and no new ration card or registration is required. 

In order to redress beneficiaries’ complaints and grievances related to the Public Distribution System. toll-free helpline number 1967 has been set up.

Beneficiaries can view their NFSA as well as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana food grain allotment and balance quota using the Android-based mobile application ‘Mera Ration’, which is currently available in 13 languages.