Lok Sabha Question No. 1828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Financial Allocation for PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Umesh G. Jadhav, Basanta Kumar Panda

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1828 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13TH DECEMBER, 2023

## FINANCIAL  ALLOCATION  FOR PMGKAY

1828.  DR. UMESH G. JADHAV: SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION aTiM  vm+, um dR qT8rfhr f+VaT ++ be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total planned  financial allocation for  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme and the number of  beneficiaries provided with additional free of cost foodgrains under the PMGKAY
- scheme in Odisha particularly  in Kalahandi and Nuapada districts;  and
- (b) the  manner  in which PMGKAY was  implemented during  the  COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the distribution of free foodgrains?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) & (b): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the  poor  and  needy  due  to  economic disruptions caused  by  the  COVID-19 outbreak in  the  country. Under the  PMGKAY, the  beneficiaries i.e. Antyodaya Anna Yojana  (AAY) households and Priority  Households (PHH) were entitled to received additional 5 kilogram of foodgrains per person per month, in  addition to  regular allocation during the Covid-19. A total quantity of  approx. 1118 LMT foodgrains had been allocated under PMGKAY (Phase I-VII) for the period of 28 months with a total planned

financial outlay was about Rs. 3.gl  lakh crore.

The Central Government, in order to  remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to  ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the  programme for support of the  poor, the Central Government had decided to provide food grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (/IAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries, beginning from 1 st January 2023 under the PMGKAY.

Keeping in view welfare of the beneficiaries of PMGKAY in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability of food grains for the poor and to maintain uniformity across the States, the Government has decided to continue to provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries (i.e. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority  Households (PHH) beneficiaries) under the PMGKAY for a period of five years with effect from lst  January, 2024, with  an estimated financial outlay of  Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally  to be borne by Central Government.

The provision of free food grains under PMGKAY for five years with effect  from lst  January 2024 reflects  the long-term commitment and vision of the Government for addressing National food and nutrition security. Provision of free food grains shall mitigate any financial hardship of the affected strata  of society  in a sustainable manner and ensure long term pricing strategy with zero cost to the beneficiaries which is vital for effective penetration of the Public Distribution System.

Against the  intended coverage of  326.21 lakh  persons, the  State Government of  Odisha has  identified  325.03  lakh  beneficiaries  which  is about 99.64% of the  intended  coverage. As per the  State  PDS portal,  the details of  beneficiaries presently covered under the  PMGKAY in  the Kalahandi and Nuapada districts  are as follows:

| Name of the districts   | Number of beneficiaries (in lakh)   |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Kalahandi               |                                     |
| Nuapada                 |                                     |