• UGI USER
  • Nov 16, 2023
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PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA (PMGKAY): ENSURING FOOD SECURITY

Why in the News? 

  • Centre providing food grains free of cost under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

Source: Research Gate

 

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is a food security scheme launched by the Government of India in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Free Food Distribution: The Centre is providing food grains free of cost through PMGKAY.
  • National Food Security Act (2013): This initiative aligns with the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

 

Objective and Duration:

  • Financial Relief: Aims to remove the financial burden on poor beneficiaries.
  • One-Year Program: PMGKAY offers free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries for one year starting from January 1, 2023.
  • Enhanced Food Security: Strengthens the Food Security network in the country.

 

Strengthening NFSA Provisions:

  • Accessibility, Affordability, and Availability: Decision taken to enhance these aspects of NFSA provisions.

 

  • Uniform Implementation: Focus on nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of NFSA (2013).

 

Food Subsidy Schemes:

  • Government’s Responsibility: Central Government fully bears the Food Subsidy.
  • Procurement and Transportation: Includes procuring, allocating, transporting, and delivering food grains till designated depots in States.
  • Consolidation under PMGKAY: Two food subsidy schemes (Food Subsidy to FCI and Food Subsidy to Decentralized Procurement States) consolidated under PMGKAY.

 

Distribution Mechanism:

  • Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): Free food grains distributed through TPDS.

 

Coverage under NFSA:

  • Extensive Coverage: NFSA, 2013 covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.
  • High Intended Beneficiaries: Against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.48 crore beneficiaries are identified by States/UTs under PMGKAY.

 

PMGKAY emerges as a crucial initiative, aligning with NFSA provisions, ensuring financial relief, and contributing to the comprehensive food security of vulnerable and needy sections of society.