By Animesh Singh New Delhi, Sep 1 : While the government hasn’t taken any decision about extending the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beyond the deadline of September 30 however, the research institute Niti Aayog is believed to be of the opinion that the scheme shouldn’t continue for any longer.
Sources with knowledge of the developments in Niti Aayog reported that the program — where food grains are free to the poor (covered in the National Food Security Act provisions) to ease the difficulties they were facing in the event that the Coronavirus pandemic erupted in 2020 shouldn’t be extended past September, as the situation with regard to the accessibility of foods grains is improving in the past two years.
A belief within Niti Aayog is that although there are sufficient stocks of wheat and rice and rye, the two commodities that are distributed to beneficiaries of the scheme can’t be provided at no cost of cost over a lengthy time of time, as conditions have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Additionally, the beneficiaries receive food items via the public distribution system (PDS) and the food grains that are supplied under PMGKAY are in addition to that, so they don’t be in any trouble even if the program is canceled according to sources.
The discussions within Niti Aayog regarding these issues are at a preliminary phase, the government for its own hasn’t yet taken any decision about expanding the scheme past September.
Department of Food and Consumer Affairs officials when contacted, told that there was no decision yet been made regarding the extension of PMGKAY’s contract.
Under PMGKAY under PMGKAY, five kilograms of food grains comprised of either wheat or rice is offered at no cost of cost to the most disadvantaged.The program is scheduled for expire on September 30th.
The program was announced in March of 2020 by the government shortly after the nationwide lockdown was in place to ease the burdens endured by the poor the time.
Since the time, it has been extended several times and the most recent extension was made in March 2022.It will expire on September 30.
ans/pgh
