Free govt ration scheme extended for 5 yrs with ₹11 lakh cr budget

The Union Cabinet has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years, effective January 1, 2024. The scheme, which will benefit about 81.35 crore people, will have an estimated cost of ₹11.80 lakh crore, the Cabinet said. Launched in 2020, the scheme provides 5 kg of free food grains monthly to the poor.