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Topic: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana

Why in News?

• 13 states have started distributing foodgrains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY).

Key Highlights

• On April 23, the government had announced its decision to restart the PMGKAY to provide free-of-cost additional 5 kg foodgrains per person per month to the beneficiaries, who are covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) over and above their monthly entitlement for two months, May and June.
• However, the new version of the PMGKAY lacks one of its important components–free-of-cost 1 kg pulses per month to each household covered under the NFSA.

Background

• The PMGKAY was first announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of the government’s Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package under “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against coronavirus” on March 26, 2020.
• Initially, the scheme was for three months — May, June and July – but later it was extended till November 2020.
• The Centre had also launched a separate scheme to provide free 5 kg foodgrain per person per month to stranded migrants for two months.
• However, the ministry has ruled out possibility of a similar scheme this time.

About One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

• Under the scheme, public distribution system (PDS) beneficiaries will be able to draw ration from any biometric verificationenabled fair price shop across states and Union territories covered by it.
• According to the ministry, all states and union territories except four — Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal — have implemented the scheme.