Delhi Chief Minister To Extend Free Ration Scheme By 6 Months, Till May 2022

The Delhi government distributes free ration to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and PMGKAY. The city has over 72.78 lakh beneficiaries.

Representational Image (Source: PTI)

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal announced on Saturday that they have extended the free ration scheme for six months more, that is till May 2022 the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has decided, reported PTI.

"Inflation is at its peak. The common man is struggling to manage even two square meals a day. Many have lost their jobs due to Covid-19. Prime minister sir, please extend the scheme of supplying free ration to the poor by six months. The Delhi government is extending its free ration scheme for the next six months," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Delhi government distributes free ration to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and PM-GKAY. Kejriwal's remarks came a day after Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said the Centre had no proposal to extend distribution of free ration through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beyond November 30.

The city has over 2,000 fair price shops, 17.77 lakh ration card holders and around 72.78 lakh beneficiaries. The free ration is given over and above subsidised grains distributed to them through ration shops according to PTI.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is a food security welfare scheme that was announced by the Centre in March last year due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Under which, 5 Kg per person additional food grain is given to all beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act. Initially, the scheme was launched for April-June last year but was later extended to November 30. 

The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced during the occasion of 'Deepotsava' celebrations in Ayodhya, that the PM-GKAY will be extended till Holi. According to ANI, under this, the government will not only provide rice and wheat but we'll also give pulses, salt & edible oil said Adityanath.