Govt Extends PMGKAY Scheme For 5 Years Effective From January 1, 2024

Union Minister Anurag Thakur noted that the scheme will cost the government nearly Rs 11.8 lakh crore over the next five years. He underlined that this number is not a fixed number.

The Indian Government announced an extension to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana on Wednesday. Union Minister Anurag Thakur in a cabinet briefing revealed that the Govt is extending the PMGKAY scheme to provide 5 kg of free foodgrains per month to 81 crore poor people for another five years, effective from January 1, 2024.

The decision regarding the scheme was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Thakur, informed, "The world's largest food security scheme will continue providing food grains to poor people for another 5 years." He added that the scheme will cost the government nearly Rs 11.8 lakh crore over the next five years. He underlined that this number is not a fixed number.

The minister called this an effort by the Prime Minister to ensure the poor people have food security and don't have to worry about their basic needs. 

Notably, the scheme was last extended till December 31, 2023. The PMGKAY was launched in 2020 as a pandemic relief measure by the government. The scheme includes a provision of 5 kg of free foodgrains per beneficiary on a monthly basis, in addition to the 5 kg of foodgrains provided at a subsidised rate under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The scheme, earlier ended in December 2022 after multiple extensions, reported PTI. However, it was resumed under the NFSA providing ration free for one year. 

Additionally, the minister also informed that the government has approved a central scheme to provide drones to 15,000 women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore for two years, starting next fiscal year, 2024-25. The scheme plans to provide drones to these groups for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes, Thakur said. The measures under the scheme will help provide sustainable business and livelihood support to the women associated with these groups, enabling them to earn at least Rs 1 lakh per annum, the minister noted.