News Highlight
The extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a scheme to distribute free food grains to the poor for another three months, is a surprise for many reasons.
Key Takeaway
- The Government may have its reasons for extending, once again, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana scheme; still, it must do more to complete the commissioning of a study that should help stop the diversion of foodgrains and identify the food needy.
Arguments support the extension of the Scheme
- Pandemic and its impact
- It is significant because of daily wagers and informal sector entrepreneurs who lost their job in the wake of Covid-19 induced Lockdown.
- Domestic migration
- Domestic migration is still prevalent in India. The extension of the scheme would help these migrant people.
- Ensure food and nutritional security
- PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), started during a difficult time of the COVID-19 crisis, has provided food security to the poor, needy and vulnerable households/beneficiaries so that they do not suffer on account of the non-availability of adequate foodgrains.
- Enhance farmer income
- The scheme requires more cereals production and possibly improves farmers’ financial condition.
Agreements opposed the extension of the Scheme
- The Pandemic situation ended
- The scheme was introduced in the wake of the COVID Pandemic. Now the situation has almost changed.
- Freebies
- The extent of the scheme can be considered a freebie since the election to the legislature in some states is coming.
- For example, Gujrat.
- Diversion of food grains
- The extension of the scheme may lead to the diversion of food grains for other purposes, and the needy prefer to avoid benefiting.
- Financial burden
- The extension of the scheme is an additional financial burden upon the government.
- War situation
- The Russia-Ukraine war has already created a food crisis; hence, India needs to use its grain stock more wisely and judiciously.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
- About
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and the poor.
- Launched
- It was initially announced for three months(April, May and June 2020), covering 80 crore ration cardholders. Later it was extended till November 2020.
- Ministry
- Its nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Finance.
- Implementing Agency
- Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- Aims
- The scheme aimed at providing each person who is covered under the NFSA (National Food Security Act 2013) with an additional 5 kg of grains (wheat or rice) for free, in addition to the 5 kg subsidised food grain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Eligibility
- Families belonging to the Below Poverty Line – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories will be eligible for the scheme.
- Priority Households are to be identified by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana families are to be identified by States/UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government.
Content Source: The Hindu