By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 13: To the great relief of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, the central government recently conveyed the good news that the Phase V of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been extended by four months. Originally concluding in December 2021, the PMGKAY will now take care of rice provisions of beneficiaries up to March 2022.
The news of the scheme’s extension was announced to the state by a letter from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Under the new extension, Meghalaya will receive a total of more than 42,000 MT of rice for four months.
Reportedly, the PMGKAY scheme for Phase V from December 2021 till March, 2022 would entail an estimated additional food subsidy of Rs. 53344.52 crore. The total outgo in terms of food-grains for PMGKAY Phase V is likely to be about 163 LMT.
An official from the Food department said that the lifting period for these additional food grains for December 2021 and January 2022 will be upto December 31 while the validity for lifting for these additional food grains for February and March will be conveyed.
The PMGKAY scheme, announced by the central government during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, ensures 5 kg rice per person per month free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) [Antodaya Anna Yojana & Priority Households] including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).