Lok Sabha Question No. 1777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Monitoring of PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13TH DECEMBER, 2023

## MONITORING OF PMGKAY

## 17778 SHRI TaRa BAALU :

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION av+Few mv+, @ru at WT8rfbr fqTwr IHt be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government agrees  with the view that the  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) needs to  be monitored with the help of the community to ensure sustainable nutrition security;
- (b) if so, the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in
- this  regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

INISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to (c):  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. In view of COVID crisis, the allocation of free foodgrains, under PMGKAY was in addition to  regular allocation done. 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. 3.91 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  (AAY)  households and Priority Households (PH H)

beneficiaries, beginning from Ist  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 PIUGKAY for five years with effect from Ist  January 2024 reflects the long-terrn comrnitment 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.

The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) provides for  periodic social audits on  the functioning of fair price shops, Targeted Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes, through local authority, or any other authority or  body, as  may be  authorized by  the  State Government. The Central Government may also conduct or cause to  be conducted social audit through independent agencies having experience in conduct of such audits. The Act defines "social audit" as the process in which people collectively rnonitor and evaluate the planning and implementation of  a  programme or  scheme. Thus, the Act contains necessary provisions for  monitoring of  schemes by  the  people or community.

88888