- The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is the name given by the Centre to its new free foodgrain scheme under the National Food Security Act of 2013.
- PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana PM had approved the new integrated food security scheme for providing free foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries for a year beginning January 1, 2023.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Primary Household (PHH)
What distinguishes it from the previous scheme?
- The distinction between the two schemes is that approximately 81 crore NFSA beneficiaries were entitled to free 5 kg foodgrain per person per month in addition to their monthly entitlements.
- They were, however, required to pay the subsidised rate of foodgrains (Rs 3 per kg rice, Rs 2 per kg wheat, and Rs 1 per kg coarse grains) in order to purchase the amount to which they were entitled-35 kg per Antyoday Anna Yojana Household and 5kg per person in a Priority Household per month.
- The government has eliminated subsided prices in the new scheme and is providing foodgrains for free for a year.
- These beneficiaries will no longer receive the additional quantity that was available during the Covid pandemic.
- They will be given the amount of foodgrains to which they are entitled under the NFSA.
Implementation strategy
For the effective and uniform implementation of NFSA 2013, PMGKAY will incorporate the Department of Food and Public Distribution’s two subsidy schemes – Food Subsidy to FCI and Food Subsidy for Decentralized Procurement States – which deal with the procurement, allocation, and delivery of free foodgrains to states under NFSA.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1890272#:~:text=The%20Cabinet%20led%20by%20Hon,from%201st%20January%202023.