Executive Summary:
This document presents the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution's response to questions regarding the exclusion of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). It clarifies beneficiary identification processes under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, the continuous updation of beneficiary databases, and the grievance redressal mechanisms available. The response was issued on August 20, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Beneficiary Identification:
* PMGKAY is governed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
* Beneficiary identification and ration card issuance are the responsibility of State Governments.
* Beneficiaries are categorized under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households, with the latter identified by States/UTs based on their criteria within determined coverage.
* Criteria for Priority Households vary by State/UT depending on socio-economic and demographic conditions.
Database Management:
* States/UTs are advised to identify and include all eligible and poor households, including vulnerable sections.
* States are updating their beneficiary databases to delete bogus ration cards and improve targeting.
* Deletion of ineligible and addition of eligible beneficiaries is a continuous process.
Grievance Redressal:
* The NFSA includes explicit provisions for grievance redressal.
* State Governments must establish internal grievance redressal mechanisms (call centers, helplines, nodal officers).
* District Grievance Redressal Officers (DGROs) are appointed for expeditious grievance redressal related to foodgrain distribution and entitlement enforcement.
* State Food Commissions are constituted to monitor and review implementation of the Act and inquire into violations of entitlements.
Impact Analysis:
Central Government:
* Impact: Joint responsibility for the PMGKAY scheme as per the NFSA 2013. Issues advisories to States/UTs regarding beneficiary identification.
* Action Required: Continue to provide guidance and support to States/UTs for effective implementation of the NFSA.
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for identifying beneficiaries, issuing ration cards, updating beneficiary databases, and establishing grievance redressal mechanisms.
* Action Required: Update beneficiary databases, identify and include eligible households, and ensure effective grievance redressal mechanisms are in place.
Beneficiaries (Eligible and Ineligible):
* Impact: Eligible beneficiaries continue to receive benefits under the PMGKAY scheme; ineligible beneficiaries may be removed from the scheme.
* Action Required: Eligible beneficiaries should ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date. Those wrongly classified as ineligible should utilize the grievance redressal mechanisms available.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A food security scheme to provide free food grains to the poor.
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for food security and consumer protection.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A scheme to provide food grains to the poorest of the poor.
State Government: Refers to the government of individual states within India, responsible for identifying beneficiaries and issuing ration cards under the NFSA.
Union Territories (UT): Refers to the union territories within India. The administration is responsible for identifying beneficiaries and issuing ration cards under the NFSA.
District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO): An officer appointed to address grievances related to the distribution of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act.
State Food Commission: A commission established to monitor and review the implementation of the National Food Security Act within a state.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4600
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
EXCLUSION OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER PMGKAY
4600. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of criteria being used to determine ineligibility of beneficiaries under the
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) as per the data shared by the
Income Tax Department;
(b) the details of beneficiaries of the yojana along with estimated number of
beneficiaries likely to be removed from the scheme State/District-wise;
(c) whether any measures have been taken by the Government to prevent wrongful
exclusion of eligible beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any grievance redressal mechanism has been made available for those
wrongly classified as ineligible under the income verification and if so, the details thereof
along with the alternative measures in place to address the same;
(e) whether the Government has constituted any committee to assess the impact on
vulnerable households under the exclusion process; and
(f) if so, the details and findings thereof including the action taken by the Government
thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) to (f): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Alma Yojana (PMGKAY) is governed as per
provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 .
Under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Government, the responsibility for
identification of beneficiaries and issuance of their ration cards rests with the concerned State
Government-2-
Identification of beneficiaries under the act is under two categories- households covered
under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to the extent specified by the Central Government and the
remaining households as priority households to be identified by the State Governments/ Union
Territories (UT) Administrations as per criteria evolved by them, within the coverage determined
for the State/UT. Thus, the criteria for identification of beneficiaries under Priority Households
Category may vary from State to State depending upon Socio-Economic, demographic conditions
of the State.
The Central Government issues advisories to all the States/Union Territories from time to
time to identify all eligible and poor persons/ households including vulnerable Sections of the
Society for inclusion under the NFS A. States are undertaking updation of their beneficiary database
so that bogus ration cards get deleted and better targeting of rightful beneficiaries is ensured. Thus,
deletion of ineligible beneficiaries and addition of eligible beneficiaries under the Act is
a
contInuous process.
Explicit provisions are made under the National Food Security Act for redressal of
grievances of beneficiaries. The Act provides that every State Government shall put in place an
internal grievance redressal mechanism which may include call centres, help lines, designation of
nodal officers, or such other mechanism as may be prescribed. The Act further provides for a
appointment/designation of District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) for expeditious and
effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to distribution of
entitled foodgrains and to enforce the entitlements under the Act. The Act also provides for
constitution/designation of a State Food Commission for the purpose of monitoring and review of
implementation of the Act. The Commission either SIlo-moto or on the receipt of complaints
inquires into violations of entitlements under Chapter-II of the Act and hear appeal against the
order of the D(3RO
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