IANS | 30 Nov, 2023
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide free foodgrain to the poor
for another five years at a cost of Rs 11.8 lakh crore.
Addressing
a press conference here, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister
Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday that the Centre is extending the PMGKAY
scheme to provide 5 kg of free foodgrain per month to 81 crore poor
people for another five years, effective from January 1, 2024.
The
Minister also announced that PM Janman scheme has been approved which
will cost Rs 24,100 crore out of which Rs 15,300 crore will be funded by
Centre and remaining by states.
The scheme will provide basic
facilities including housing, road connectivity, piped water, mobile
medical units, solar street lighting, mobile towers.
The scheme will be implemented in 18 states and is expected to benefit 28,16,000 tribals.
Thakur
also said that proposal for setting up the 16th Finance Commission has
been been cleared and the terms of reference include share of central
taxes between Centre and states.
The 16th Finance Commission will be for the period of five years from April 1, 2026-31.
He
said there will no shortage of funds or food for Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana for over five years. The scheme will cost the government nearly
Rs 11.8 lakh crore over the next five years, but he emphasised that this
amount is not a fixed number.
Thakur referred to this is an
effort by the Prime Minister to ensure the poor people have food
security and don't have to worry about their basic needs.
