**Policy Summary: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2917, concerning the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and its impact on foodgrain distribution. Prior to PMGKAY, foodgrains were distributed under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) at subsidized prices: Rs. 3, 2, and 1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains, respectively. These prices remained in effect until December 2022.
To alleviate the financial burden on beneficiaries and ensure uniformity, the Central Government initiated free foodgrain distribution under PMGKAY, beginning January 1, 2023, for an initial period of one year. This initiative has been extended for a further five years, commencing in January 2024. The estimated financial outlay for this five-year extension is Rs. 11.80 lakh crore, to be entirely borne by the Central Government.
The Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question. The original question was posed by Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasam A. The question was to be answered on August 6th, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: A food security welfare scheme to provide foodgrains to the poor.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
National Food Security Act, 2013: An Indian Act of Parliament to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
SHRI VISHWESHWARHEGDE KAGERI: Name of a Member of Parliament who raised a question.
SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAM A: Name of a Member of Parliament who raised a question.
SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food Public Distribution.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Central Government: The Union Government of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2917
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
FREE FOODGRAIN DISTRIBUTION UNDER PMGKAY
2917. SHRI VISHWESHWARHEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAM A:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a): the details of the prices at which food grains were issued to beneficiaries prior to the
implementation of free foodgrain distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana (PMGKAY); and
(b): the details of the additional financial burden arising from the distribution of free
foodgrains to beneficiaries under PIV[GKAY?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): Foodgrains under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) were to be made
available at subsidized prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains
respectively for an initial period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act
(July 13, 2013). Thereafter, prices were to be fixed by the Central Government from time to
time, but not exceeding MSP. Government reviewed the prices from time to time and
continued the same subsidized prices till December 2022.
The Central Government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor
beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the Act,
had decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to beneficiaries for a period of one year
beginning from Ist January 2023 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PVIGK AY). The period for distribution of free of cost foodgrains has been extended for
further five years i.e. from January, 2024, with an estimated financial outlay of Rs. 11.80 lakh
crore totally to be borne by Central Government.
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