Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is a food security program of Government of India.
• It is the largest food security program in the world, which was started in the wake of Covid-19.
• During Covid-19, when the government imposes a lockdown, it creates problems among daily wage earners.
• To resolve this issue, the government of India introduced "Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana".
• This scheme is also known by other names such as "PM Garib Kalyan Scheme" or "PM-GKAY".
• This scheme was announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, which is going to benefit around 80 Cr people in India.
• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs serves as the Nodal Ministry for this Scheme.
• Scheme primarily focuses on those who are unable to secure food during Covid.
• Under the scheme, all beneficiaries get additional free of cost rice or wheat, with their monthly fixed quota.
• Whereas, beneficiaries of the Antyodaya yojana will receive 35 kg of ration per month
• Moreover, the priority households will get 5 kg of rice or wheat per person and 1 kg of pulses.
• Started in the year 2020, the government launched this scheme in various phases.
• In the recent cabinet meeting, the government announced that the scheme will continue to offer benefits for the next five years until December 2028.

Scheme Benefits

• With an aim to ensure food security among poor, the Government of India launched the PM Garib Kalyana Anna Yojana, providing following benefits to its eligible beneficiaries : -
  • Households with a valid ration card will receive 5 kg of food grain free of cost.
  • Wheat will be provided to Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, whereas rice will be provided to other districts.
  • 5 Kg Extra food grains per person per month for Priority Householders.
  • Antoydaya Anna Yojana Family will receive 35 kg of food grains.
  • 1 Kg of Pulses.

Eligibility Requirements

• Beneficiaries with the following eligibility criteria are entitled to receive free food grains under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana : -
  • Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ration Card Holders.
  • Beneficiaries registered under National Food Securities Act.
  • Beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
  • Priority Householders (PHH) defined by State/UTs.
  • People Covered Under Direct Benefit Transfer.

Phases of PM-GKAY Scheme

Phase Wise Allocation of Food Grains

Phase Wise Distribution of Food Grains

People Benefitted Under PM-GKAY

Phase Wise Expenditure Under PM-GKAY

Required Documents

• Ration Card.
• Below Poverty Line Card.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana Card.

Steps to Apply

• To receive the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), eligible households are not required to apply anywhere.
• Beneficiaries can receive free food grains from the nearest Fair Price Shop.
• To get the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, beneficiary must visit the allocated Fair Price Shop (Ration Shop) with ration cards issued by the concerned state government.
• In the absence of a Ration Card, beneficiaries can also provide their aadhaar card.
• Fair Price Shop dealers will perform the authentication process using biometrics.
• After verifying successfully, the dealer will provide food grains to the beneficiaries.
• Beneficiaries can avail the benefits of PM-GKAY across the country from any Fair Price Shop.

Key Features of the Scheme

• The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was launched on March 26, 2020.
• Initially, the scheme was announced for the period of April 2020 to June 2020 as Phase I. Later, the scheme was extended up to 7 phases, until December 2023.
• To continue its benefits, the government extended the scheme for the next five years, up to December 2028.
• For this extension, the government allocated 1.97 lakh crore of the total outlay of 11.79 lakh crore.
• In Phase I and Phase II, the Government allocated a total of about 321 lakh Metric Ton of Food grains to State and UTs. Around Rs. 1.06 Lakh Crore of expenditure was spent in the implementation of Phase I and Phase II.
• For Phase III the government allocated 79.46 Lakh Metric Ton of Food grains, with a total expenditure of Rs 25000 Cr.
• In Phase IV, the Government allocated 198.78 Lakh Metric Tonnes of food grains, for this Rs. 62,380 Crore was allocated.
• For Phase V, the Government allocated 144 Lakh Metric Tonne of food grains and for this a fund of rs 36,000 Cr is allocated.
• On March 26 2021, the Government extended the scheme for Phase VI, where they allocated 244 MT food grains.
• For Phase 6 the government outlay a fund of Rs 80,000 Cr.

Mera Ration App

• Mera Ration App is an App under One Nation One Ration Card Plan.
• Through this app, beneficiaries will receive the ration card service across the country.
• Primarily this app will help the migrant workers.
• Some of the features of this app are as follows:-
  • Beneficiaries can register themselves for One Nation One Ration Card Plan.
  • Eligible people can also know their entitlement of food grains on this app.
  • It will also help people to find the nearby ration shop around their locality.
  • Along with other features, beneficiary can also submit their valuable feedback and suggestion to the government.
• This app is available on play store for android phones.
• Download Now to avail the benefits.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
• Department of Food and Public Distribution.
• PIB Official Announcement.
• PIB Notification.
• Mera Ration App.

Contact Information

• Contact Directory (Ministry of Consumer Affairs).
• Contact Directory (Department of Food and Distribution).
• Address :- Department of Food and Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
  Food and Public Distribution
  Department of Food & Public Distribution
  Krishi Bhawan,
  New Delhi - 110001.