Indian Govt To Provide 5 Kg Free Food Grains To 80 Cr Beneficiaries, Will Spend Over Rs 26,000 Cr For Initiative

In line with PM Narendra Modi's commitment to the poor, the Central government decided to provide free food grains to 80 crore beneficiaries, on the same pattern as last year's PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Representative Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: Indian government on Friday made a significant announcement to help the poor as it committed to providing free foodgrains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for the month of May and June 2021.

5 kg free food grains will be provided to around 80 crore beneficiaries, the union government stated. It has also been informed that the Centre will spend over Rs 26,000 crore for this initiative.

In line with PM Narendra Modi's commitment to the poor, the Central government decided to provide free food grains to 80 crore beneficiaries, on the same pattern as last year's PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

PM Modi had emphasised that it is important to provide nutritional support to the poor of the country when the nation is also battling the second wave of coronavirus.

As previously stated, the central government will spend more than Rs 26,000 crore on this initiative.

This government's initiative comes as the process of reverse migration is being reported from several states such as Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat as migrant workers once again return to their native regions in fear of strict lockdown.

India has witnessed a record surge in Covid-19 cases in the past few days while crossing the mark of 3 lakh fresh cases for two consecutive days now.

The country recorded a one-day tally of 3,32,730 new coronavirus cases along with 2,263 deaths and 1,93,279 discharges in the last 24 hours, according to official data released on Friday.

With this, the Total caseload increased to 1,62,63,695, while Total recoveries are 1,36,48,159, Death toll is 1,86,920; and Active cases are 24,28,616.