Govt to provide free food grains to around 80 crore beneficiaries

The Government of India is set to provide free food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for the month of May and June 2021.

New Delhi:Secretary of Department of Food and Public Distribution Sudhanshu Pandey while addressing a virtual press conference announced that the Central Government will provide free food grain to nearly 80 crore people for the next two months (May and June) under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana.

Under the PMGKAY, 5 kg free food grains will be provided to the poor for the month of the next two months. Around 80 crore beneficiaries will get free food grains under this scheme, the government said.

It added that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to the poor, the central government has decided to provide free food grains to 80 crore beneficiaries, on the same pattern as last year's PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Read:Jayant Sinha: PM Modi working hard to manage Covid situation

Narendra Modi stressed that it is important for the poor to get nutritional support at a time when the country is facing the second wave of Covid-19.

The Additional free-of-cost foodgrains will be distributed to NFSA (National Food Security Act) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in May and June, said the government in a press conference.

Read: PM Modi's address to nation had eye on upcoming Bihar polls: Opposition parties

"Five kg per person per month to be provided to nearly 80 crore beneficiaries free of cost, covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) over and above NFSA foodgrains for next two months i.e. May and June 2021.,"it said.

Read:PM Modi extends Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, free ration for poor to remain till Nov

"The Government of India will bear all expenditure of over Rs 26,000 crore on account of food subsidy and Central assistance to states/UTs on account of intrastate transportation etc," the release said.