New Delhi:The Union Cabinet on November 29 approved a proposal to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide free foodgrains to around 81 crore poor people for five more years until December 2028.At a Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the extension will cost the exchequer around Rs 11.8 lakh crore. The extension will be applicable from January 1, 2024.
A decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 28.Earlier this month, addressing an election rally in Chhattisgarh, PM Modi said the Centre would extend the free ration scheme for five years.During the briefing, Thakur said there will be no shortage of funds as well as no issues with procurement on account of extending the free ration scheme for 5 years.
