New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana till November this year.
During his address to the nation, he said that 80 crore people will be provided 5 kg wheat or 5 kg rice a month for free under this scheme till the end of November. Every family will also get 1 kg chana every month.
He said that Rs 90 crore will be spent for the purpose in the upcoming months.
On March 26, the Finance Minister had announced Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against COVID-19 for the next three months.
The PM also informed about his government’s plan to implement one nation, one ration card across the country.
“We are able to provide free ration to the poor because of the farmers and honest taxpayers of the country,” he said, stressing on opening livelihood options amid the pandemic.
The PM also urged people to take care of themselves with the country entering Unlock 2.0 amid the onset of the season of cough, fever and cold.
“If we look at the COVID-19 mortality rate then the situation in India is very much under control. The timely lockdown has saved lakhs of lives. The entire nation took guidelines seriously, be it sanitizing or wearing masks. We need to be more careful now,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of people after Unlock 1.0. “Social distancing and COVID guidelines should be strictly followed. People violating guidelines should be stopped,” he added.
