Centre extends free ration scheme for 3 more months, PM says ‘will benefit crores’

The government on Wednesday extended Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for three more months so that poor and vulnerable sections are supported for the major festivals including Navratri, Dussehra, Milad-un-nabi, Deepawali, Chhath pooja, Gurunanak Dev Jayanti and Christmas.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi later said the Union Cabinet’s decision to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) will benefit crores of people across India and ensure support during this festive season.
“Today’s Cabinet decision to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana will benefit crores of people across India and ensure support during this festive season,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
The scheme will continue till December this year. Briefing reporters after a meeting of union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said the Cabinet has approved the extension of the PMGKAY scheme for another three months.
He said the scheme, which was ending on Friday, will now run through 31 December 2022, Anurag Thakur said.
An official release said at a time when the world is battling with the effects of Covid on its decline and insecurity due to various reasons, India has been successfully maintaining food security for its vulnerable sections while taking necessary steps to keep availability and affordability for the common man.