Centre Extends Free Ration Scheme Till December 2023

New Delhi: The union government on Friday decided to make ration available for free, and not just on subsidised rates, to those covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) at least till December 2023.

“The Cabinet has decided to merge the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with the National Food Security Act till December 2023,” Food Minister Piyush Goyal announced after the cabinet meeting.

The decision, essentially, is to incorporate under the Act the special free-ration scheme — Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)— which started in 2020 after COVID affected livelihoods.

According to reports, the Act will now cover over 81.35 crore people which will cost the government Rs 2 lakh crore for a year.

Under the Act, originally, rice is to be provided at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2, and millet at Re 1 — each up to 5 kg per person. The Yojana gave another 5 kg each free of cost over and above this.

Notably, the Yojana had been in effect for 28 months now and its latest extension was to expire this month.

After the extension, the benefit given under the special PMGKAY scheme since 2020 will continue but now will be provided under the NFSA umbrella.