People To Get Free Ration For A Year

The Union Cabinet decided to implement the scheme…

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

The decision, essentially, is to subsume under the Act the special free-ration scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana which started in 2020 after Covid affected livelihoods.

The Act, thus, will now cover over 80 crore people.

After the Cabinet met under PM Modi, Minister Piyush Goyal announced the decision, saying that the Yojana had been in effect for 28 months now. Its latest extension was to expire this month.

The move to now make ration free under the Act will cost the government ? 2 lakh crore for a year

Under the Act, originally, rice is to be provided at Rs. 3 a kg, wheat at Rs. 2, millet at Rs. 1 which is each up to 5 kg per person. The Yojana started in March 2020 gave another 5 kg each free of cost over and above this.

Now, the government has made the ration under the Act itself free of cost. This means the benefit given under the special scheme from 2020 will continue, but now it will be provided under the NFSA umbrella.

"The Cabinet has decided to merge the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with the National Food Security Act till December 2023," Mr. Goyal announced.