Context: The government of India will be extending the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for the next five years.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Empowering Food Security

• Analyzing Food Security Scheme: PMGKAY is a food security welfare scheme announced by the Government of India during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
• Origin: The scheme was announced in 2020 as part of the existing Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY). Initially it was scheduled to run for the period between April and June 2020.
• Nodal Ministry for PMGKAY: The scheme is run by the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The Ministry of Finance is the nodal ministry.
• Working of PMGKAY: The scheme will provide food grains to the poorest citizens through the Public Distribution System, to all the priority households (ration card holders and those identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme).
• Under the scheme, 5 kg of rice or wheat per person and 1 kg of dal will be given to each family holding a ration card. This is above the monthly entitlement under the NFSA.
  • Budget: The scheme has a budgeted sum of Rs. 2 Lakh Crores for the fiscal year 2022-23, making it the largest food security program in the world.

• Success of the PMGKAY scheme

• • By the end of May 2020, the food ministry estimated that the program had reached 740 million beneficiaries, especially those below poverty levels.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) has prevented any increase in extreme poverty levels in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Significance of the PMGKAY Scheme

• • Hunger Reduction: The scheme will reduce the problem of hunger among the population, especially during the time of distress.
  • Address Farm Distress: The acquisition of rice and wheat under MSP will address the issue of falling prices of food grains for farmers.
  • Urban Poverty Reduction: The issue of poverty in urban areas can be reduced to some extent by reducing the burden of food on families.

• Concerns Associated with PMGKAY

• • Identifying Beneficiary: The beneficiaries of the scheme are identified based on the last census (2011), which makes it rather inconsistent with the current conditions.
  • Financial Burden: Large sums of money is needed to keep the scheme running. Additional pressure from weather and rising agricultural costs make it difficult.
  • Increase in Fiscal Deficit: The fiscal deficit of the government needs to be near the 6% mark. However, it will be difficult to adhere to.
  • Price Rise: The scheme may further cause rise in prices of rice and wheat as the grains are acquired through MSP. The MSP prices usually increase every season.

Transforming Food Security: National Food Security Act, 2013

Conclusion

• PMGKAY has effectively mitigated food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis, reaching a large number of beneficiaries. However, addressing concerns related to beneficiary identification and financial sustainability is crucial for its long-term success, alongside the supportive framework provided by the National Food Security Act, 2013.