The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is governed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and provides foodgrains (rice, wheat, coarse grains, or combinations thereof) to beneficiaries. To enhance nutritional support, States/UTs are advised to procure and distribute millets based on local preferences and central government guidelines. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children (6 months to 14 years) receive meals under ICDS and PM-POSHAN schemes, with higher nutritional norms for malnourished children up to 6 years. Nutritional standards were revised on January 25, 2023, via amendment of Schedule II of the Act. The Act mandates State Governments to appoint District Grievance Redressal Officers for grievance redressal related to foodgrain distribution. State Food Commissions (SFCs) monitor and review the Act's implementation and address violations. Beneficiaries not receiving their entitled foodgrains are eligible for a food security allowance in cash from the State Government, as per the Food Security Allowance Rule, 2015, notified on January 21, 2015.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A food security scheme to provide foodgrains to the poor, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to ensure that no poor household goes hungry.
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: The Indian government ministry responsible for food security, consumer protection, and fair trade practices.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): A government program in India which provides food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health check-up and referral services to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
PMPOSHAN: A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at enhancing the nutritional levels of school children.
District Grievance Redressal Officer: An officer appointed in each district by the State Government to address grievances related to the distribution of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act.
State Food Commission (SFC): An entity established by the State Government to monitor and review the implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and inquire into violations of entitlements.
Food Security Allowance Rule, 2015: A rule notified by the Central Government to provide cash allowance to entitled persons in case of non-supply of entitled quantities of foodgrains.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2842
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
PM(,KAY
2842. SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a): the details offoodgrains being provided under the Pradhan Marltri Garib Kalyarl Anna
Yojana (PMGKAY);
(b): the steps taken by the Government to enhance nutritional support through this Yojana;
(c): the provisions made by the Government under this Yojana for women and children;
and
(d): the options available in case the beneficiaries are not supplied foodgrains as per their
prescribed entitlement?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBH Al BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is governed as
per provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. 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.
To improve the level of nutrition among the targeted beneficiaries covered under the
PMGKAY, all the States/UTs have been advised to procure millets and distribute to
beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central
Government from time to time-2-
(c): The Act further provides that pregnant women and lactating mothers and children in
the age group of 6 months to 14 years are entitled to meals as per prescribed nutritional
norms under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and PM-POSHAN schemes.
Higher nutritional norms are prescribed for malnourished children upto 6 years of age. In
order to improve the level of nutrition, the Nutritional Standards have been revised by
amending Schedule-11 of the Act vide notification dated 25.01.2023.
(d): The Act provides that the State Government shall appoint or designate, for each
district, an officer to be the District Grievance Redressal Officer for expeditious and effective
redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to distribution of entitled
foodgrains or meals under Chapter II, and to enforce the entitlements under this Act. The Act
further provides for constitution/designation of State Food Commission (SFC) for the
purpose of monitoring and review of implementation of the Act. The SFC, either suo motu or
on receipt of complaint inquire into violations of entitlements provided under the Act.
In case of non-supply of the entitled quantities of foodgrains to entitled persons, such
persons shall be entitled to receive food security allowance in cash from the concerned State
Government, as per the Food Security Allowance Rule, 2015 notified by Central Government
on 21.01.2015
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