**Summary:**
This document summarizes the implementation status of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal as of July 30, 2025. The PMGKAY is being successfully implemented in both districts. The State Government of West Bengal has identified beneficiaries up to the maximum permissible limit of 601.84 lakh persons. Specifically, there are 9.52 lakh beneficiaries in the Darjeeling district and 5.17 lakh beneficiaries in the Kalimpong district. Beneficiaries under PMGKAY are categorized into Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households. AAY households, considered the poorest, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month. Priority Households are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month. The term "foodgrains" encompasses rice, wheat, coarse grains, or any combination thereof, conforming to quality standards set by the Central Government. There is no Below Poverty Line (BPL) category under the Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A food security scheme implemented by the Government of India to provide food grains to the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Food Security Act (NFSA): An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to a large section of the population.
Darjeeling, West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, where PMGKAY and NFSA are being implemented.
Kalimpong, West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, where PMGKAY and NFSA are being implemented.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies related to consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
SHRI RAJU BISTA: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the implementation of PMGKAY and NFSA in North Bengal.
SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food Public Distribution, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A scheme under NFSA to provide foodgrains to the poorest of the poor households.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1696
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30Tll JULY, 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF PMGKAY AND NFSA IN NORTH BENGAL
1696. SHRI RAJU BISTA:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) the status of implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PMGKAY) and National Food Security Act (NFS A) in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts;
(b) the details of the total number of beneficiaries under said schemes in the Darjeeling and
Kalimpong districts; and
(c) the details of grains provided to beneficiaries under different Below Poverty Line
(BPL) categories?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is being successfully
implemented in all the States/ Union Territories including Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts
of West Bengal.
(b): The State Government of West Bengal has identified beneficiaries up to the maximum
permissible limit i.e. 601.84 lakh person. There are 9.52 lakh beneficiaries in the Darjeeling
district and 5.17 lakh beneficiaries in the Kalimpong District of West Bengal.
(c): Identification of beneficiaries under PMGKAY is under two categories- Antyodaya
Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households. While Antyodaya Anna Yojana
(A AY) which constitute the poorest of the poor are legally entitled to receive 35 kg of
foodgrains per household per month, the priority households are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains
per person per month. There is no Below Poverty Line (BPL) category under the Act.
The term foodgrains is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination
thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central
Government from time to time
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