**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). The response confirms the scheme's implementation in Bihar and its Bhagalpur constituency. PMGKY has been extended until December 2028.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PMGKY Overview:**
* The government announced PMGKY with an outlay of Rs. 1.70 lakh crore on March 26, 2020.
* The scheme is designed to help the poor fight against COVID-19.
* PMGKY provides benefits to existing beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, National Social Security Programs and Employees Provident Fund Schemes.
* Benefits were provided to eligible beneficiaries of every State/UT, including Bihar and the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituency.
* **Scheme Extension and Integration:**
* PM-GKAY is active and extended until December 2028.
* The scheme is integrated with the NFSA to provide free food grains.
* The target is to reach over 80 crore beneficiaries.
* **Beneficiary Identification:**
* The State Government of Bihar has identified up to 871.16 lakh beneficiaries to receive free food grains.
* Constituency-wise beneficiary data is not maintained by the Central Government.
* Beneficiaries are identified under two categories: households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households.
* The criteria for identifying priority households may vary from State to State.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Weaker Sections of Society in Bihar (Particularly Bhagalpur)**
**Impact:**
They benefit from the provision of basic amenities and free food grains under PMGKY and PM-GKAY
**Action Required:**
Individuals need to meet the criteria set by the State Government of Bihar to be identified as beneficiaries under AAY or priority households.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Bihar**
**Impact:**
Responsible for identifying beneficiaries within the state under the guidelines of the scheme.
**Action Required:**
Identify eligible beneficiaries under AAY and priority households categories, ensuring compliance with Central Government guidelines and state-specific criteria.
**Stakeholder: Beneficiaries of NFSA, PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, National Social Security Programs, and Employees Provident Fund Schemes**
**Impact:**
These beneficiaries receive additional benefits under the PMGKY scheme.
**Action Required:**
Continue to meet the requirements of their primary schemes to receive the additional PMGKY benefits.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY): A scheme to provide basic amenities to weaker sections, especially during COVID-19, including free food grains.
National Food Security Act (NFSA): The existing legal framework with which PMGKY and PM-GKAY are integrated.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY): Component of PMGKY that provides free food grains to beneficiaries.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry responsible for overseeing the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
Bihar: The state specifically mentioned as being impacted by the Yojana.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 78
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 10,
1947 (SAKA)
‘PM GARIB KALYAN YOJANA’
78: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
for providing basic amenities to the weaker sections of the society in the State of
Bihar, particularly in the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituency;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives of the said scheme;
(c) the amount of financial assistance released under the said scheme in the
State of Bihar and the said Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency along with the
number of beneficiaries there under; and
(d) the details of the criteria set by the Government to avail the benefits of the
scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (FINANCE)
SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY
(a) & (b): Yes. The Government had announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Yojana (PMGKY) of Rs. 1.70 lakh crore on 26.3.2020 to help the poor in their fight
against COVID-19. PMGKY provided benefits to existing beneficiaries of the
National Food Security Act (NFSA) under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-
GKAY), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, National
Social Security Programs and Employees Provident Fund Schemes covering every
section of society. The benefits under PMGKY were provided to eligible beneficiaries
of every State/UT including Bihar and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha Parliamentary
constituency of Bihar.
PM-GKAY is currently active and has been extended until December 2028. The
scheme has been integrated with the NFSA to provide free food grains to over 80
crore beneficiaries.(c) & (d): As part of PM-GKAY the State Government of Bihar has identified
beneficiaries up to the maximum permissible limit i.e. 871.16 lakh beneficiaries
determined for the State under the Act, for receiving foodgrains free of cost.
Constituency-wise beneficiary data is not maintained by the Central Government.
Under PMGKAY, identification of beneficiaries is done under two categories-
households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) identified by the State
Government to the extent specified by the Central Government as per the guideline
applicable and 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.
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