Union Cabinet Greenlights 5-Year Extension of ‘PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Narendra Modi government has approved the extention of ‘PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.’ This initiative, initiated in April 2020 to alleviate the hardships faced by the economically challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic, will now continue for an additional five years.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cabinet has approved the extension of the free grain distribution program, benefiting eligible individuals with additional five kg of rice or wheat, based on their preference. Chana is also included in the expanded food distribution program.

During recent election rallies, Prime Minister Modi personally announced the extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana. Initially introduced in 2020–21 for three months (April–June 2020), the scheme has undergone seven consecutive phases of extension, now spanning until December 2022.

With 80 crore beneficiaries, the PMGKAY program received an extension for the next five years, as revealed by Prime Minister Modi during an election rally in Durg on November 4. The decision aims to provide free ration to 80 crore underprivileged individuals across the country.

Previously, the Central Government had taken steps to relieve the financial burden on poor beneficiaries, ensuring nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by offering free foodgrains to NFSA-covered beneficiaries for one year, starting January 01, 2023.