Govt stops free ration to J&K beyond Nov 30

Govt stops free ration to J&K beyond Nov 30

Centre to bear addl burden of Rs 67,266 crore

JAMMU, Nov 07 : The Central Government has stopped distribution of free ration among the AAY and PHH/ BPL category people under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana beyond November 30.

Official sources in J&K told that the Union Government has no proposal to extend distribution of free ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) from December 2021 onwards in view of recovery in the economy.

“ The Union Government today said there was no proposal at present to extend the distribution of free ration as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY-3) beyond November 30,” the sources added.

“ It’s because the economy is reviving and the open market sale scheme disposal of food-grains has been exceptionally good this year,” an order issued by Union Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said.

Sources said the PMGKAY was announced in March 2020 to address the COVID pandemic crisis. Initially, the Scheme was launched for the April-June 2020 period but was further extended till November 30, 2021.

“ Under the PMGKAY, the Union Government supplied free ration to 800 million ration card holders identified under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The free ration is given over and above the subsidised grains distributed to them through ration shops.

The Government has been giving rice and wheat to bulk consumers under the OMSS policy to improve availability in the domestic.

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