New Delhi: The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided, the central government will provide free ration scheme to around 81.35 million beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for one year from January 1, 2023.
The Center will spend more than Rs 2 lakh during this period as food subsidy under NFSA and other social welfare schemes to remove the financial burden of the poor and the poorest of the poor, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Commerce and industry and textiles said in a speech to the media after the government meeting.
This is a historic decision reflects the sensitivity of the Prime Minister towards the beneficiaries of welfare schemes. 5 kg of food grains per person to Priority Household Beneficiaries (PHH) and 35 kg per household to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries (poorest of the poor) will be provided free next year, minister said.
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Shri Goyal pointed out the decision reflects the sensitivity of the Prime Minister towards the beneficiaries. Under NFSA, subsidized food grains were distributed to the beneficiaries at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains. The cabinet has decided the beneficiaries will now receive food grains free of cost, Shri Goyal said.
He added free distribution of food grains under Pradhana Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was going on for 28 months under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the COVID period.