Govt to provide free food grains to 81.35 crore beneficiaries for 5 years

New Delhi, Nov 29: The Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to provide free food grains to approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five years.

This decision, announced by the Cabinet, positions the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) as one of the world's largest social welfare schemes, aiming to ensure food and nutrition security for a staggering population at an estimated cost of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore.

Commencing on January 1, 2024, this decision underscores Prime Minister Modi's commitment to efficient and targeted welfare, addressing the basic food and nutrition requirements of the population during the "Amrit Kaal" or transformative era.

The initiative, an integral part of building an aspirational and developed India, will provide free rice, wheat, and coarse grains/millets to the vulnerable and economically challenged sections of society. This effort seeks to strengthen food security and alleviate financial hardships, contributing to the well-being of the poor and vulnerable segments of the population. The initiative will ensure nationwide uniformity in the delivery of food grains, available free of cost, through a network of over 5 lakh Fair-Price Shops, all operating under a common logo.

Furthermore, the initiative supports ease of living by allowing beneficiaries to collect free food grains from any fair-price shop in the country under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative. This technology-driven reform, part of the Digital India initiative, facilitates both intra and inter-state portability of entitlements, benefiting migrants and ensuring uniform implementation of portability across the country.

The food subsidy for the five-year distribution of food grains is projected to be around Rs. 11.80 lakh crore. This investment reflects the government's commitment to spending on food subsidies to ensure the provision of free food grains to the targeted population.