GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA
- PM Ration Schemes
The Pradhan Mantri Ration Scheme is a food security initiative launched by the Government of India to provide subsidized food grains to the economically weaker sections of the society. There are two main components of the scheme:
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
The NFSA aims to provide subsidized food grains to eligible households through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Eligible households are entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at discounted costs under this programme. The beneficiaries of this scheme include households below the poverty line (BPL), as well as Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)
The PMGKY was launched in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this scheme, an additional 5 kg of food grains per person per month are provided free of cost to all NFSA beneficiaries for a period of three months. The PMGKY also provides additional assistance to AAY households in the form of free pulses.
Overall, the Pradhan Mantri Ration Scheme is an important initiative of the Indian government to ensure food security for its citizens, especially those who are economically vulnerable.
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is a scheme launched by the Government of India to provide food security to the poor and vulnerable sections of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme was announced as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package on March 26, 2020, and is aimed at ensuring that no one goes hungry during the pandemic.
Under the PMGKAY, 5 kg of food grains per person per month are provided to over 80 crore beneficiaries across the country. The beneficiaries include people who hold ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other state-specific schemes, as well as migrant workers who are not covered by any such schemes but are stranded due to the lockdown.
The food grains provided under the PMGKAY include wheat and rice, and the distribution is done through the Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets. The scheme was initially launched for three months from April to June 2020, but has since been extended till November 2021.
The PMGKAY Is part of a larger package of measures announced by the Government of India to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poor and vulnerable sections of society. The package includes cash transfers, free LPG cylinders, and other measures aimed at providing immediate relief to those affected by the pandemic.
The PMGKAY has been widely hailed as a timely and much-needed measure to address the food security concerns of the poor and vulnerable sections of society during the pandemic. The scheme has helped ensure that people have access to basic food items during the lockdown, when many were unable to work and earn a livelihood.
The scheme has also helped mitigate the impact of rising food prices during the pandemic, as the demand for food grains has increased due to supply chain disruptions and panic buying. The government has taken several steps to ensure that the distribution of food grains under the scheme is smooth and efficient, including the use of technology to track the movement of food grains and prevent leakages.
The PMGKAY has also been instrumental in providing relief to migrant workers who were stranded due to the lockdown and did not have access to food and other essential items. The scheme has ensured that these workers have access to basic food items, regardless of their location, and has helped ease their financial burden during the pandemic.
The scheme has also helped boost the agricultural sector, as the increased demand for food grains has provided a much-needed boost to farmers who were struggling with low prices and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.
However, the scheme has also faced some challenges and criticisms. One of the main criticisms is that the distribution of food grains under the scheme has been uneven, with some areas facing shortages while others have excess stocks. There have also been reports of black marketing and diversion of food grains meant for the poor to the open market.
Another challenge is the identification of beneficiaries under the scheme. While the government has tried to ensure that all those in need are covered under the scheme, there have been cases where eligible beneficiaries have been left out, while some ineligible ones have been included.
Overall, the PMGKAY has been a crucial measure in addressing the food security concerns of the poor and vulnerable sections of society during the pandemic. The scheme has helped ensure that people have access to basic food items during the lockdown, and has provided relief to migrant workers who were stranded due to the pandemic. While there have been some challenges and criticisms, the government has taken steps to address these issues and ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach those who need it the most.
