Bhubaneswar, Nov 29: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister for extending the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme' to provide 5 kg of free food grains per month to 81 crore poor for another five years.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the gift of free food grains to 81 crore people of the country for another five years is a huge step towards the welfare of the poor and self-respect of the poor. He also called it as "The guarantee of a sensitive and people-friendly government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." 

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that the Central government will provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the PMGKAY for a period of five years with effect from January 1, 2024.

Read: National News

This is a historic decision that places PMGKAY amongst the World’s biggest social welfare schemes aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for 81.35 crore people, at an estimated  cost of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore over a 5 year period.

The provision of free food grains under PMGKAY for five years with effect from 1st January 2024 reflects the long-term commitment and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing National food and nutrition security.