Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2163

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH MARCH, 2025

## PMGKAY

## 2163. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI  CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to  state:

- (a) whether goals and objectives of  Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan  Anna  Yojana (PMGKAY)  have been reassessed and adopted to reflect its shifting/transitional  focus from pandemic relief to a five year programme;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the  PMGKAY has achieved its  initially intended outcomes in  alleviating food insecurity during the pandemic, considering its specific objectives at launch; and
- (d) if  so, the amount of  foodgrains allocated and associated costs for  the PMGKAY changed over time?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (d): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM(IKAY)  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 CC)VID crisis, the allocation of  free foodgrains,  under PMGKAY was in  addition to regular allocation for  around 80  crore beneficiaries. A  total  quantity of  approx. 1118 LMT foodgrains was allocated under PMGKAY  (Phase I-VID  for the period of 28 months with  a total planned financial  outlay was about Rs. 3.91 lakh crore.

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The phase-wise details are as under:

| PMGKAY launched during COVID   | Duration           | Quantity Allocated in LMTs   | Financial Outlay planned   |
|--------------------------------|--------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Phase - I (3 months)           | April'20 - June'20 | 120 LMT                      | Rs. 44,834 Crore           |
| Phase - II (5 months)          | July'20- Nov.'20   | 201 LMT                      | Rs. 68,351 Crore           |
| Phase- III (2 months)          | May '21-June' 21   | 80LMT                        | Rs. 26,602 Crore           |
| Phase- IV (5 months)           | July'21- Nov.'21   | 199 LMT                      | Rs. 67,266 Crore           |
| Phase -V (4 months)            | Dec'21- Mar. '22   | 159 LMT                      | Rs. 53,344 Crore           |
| Phase-VI (6 months)            | April'22-Sep' 22   | 239 LMT                      | Rs. 85,838 Crore           |
| Phase-VII (3 months)           | Oct '22-Dec' 22    | 120 LMT                      | Rs. 44,762 Crore           |
| Total (28 months)              | Total (28 months)  | 1,118 LMT                    | Rs. 3.91 Lakh crore        |

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 decided to provide food grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households and Priority  Households (Pm) beneficiaries, for  a period of  one year, beginning from  lst  January 2023 under the PMGKAY.  The Period for distribution of  free of  cost foodgrains has been extended for  further five  years w.e.f  lst January 2024.

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 scheme provides a unified institutional mechanism with  uniform price and quantity across the country  and remove difficulties  of the beneficiaries specially migrants under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC). Implementation of  integrated initiative envisage making beneficiaries aware about the initiatives taken by Central Government and related subsidy burden as also their  entitlements  under PMGKAY.

The provision  of  free food grains under PMGKAY for  five  years with  effect  from 1  st 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.

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