Focus: GS-III Indian Economy
Why in news?
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme to provide free rations to eight crore migrants under the Aatmanirbhar package reached less than 15% of its target beneficiaries, according to data provided by the Food Ministry
Details
- The PMGKAY Scheme was announced by the Union Finance Minister to support migrant workers going hungry without ration cards, but the Centre had left it to the States to identify such people.
- Overall, food grains were distributed to 15% of the estimated eight crore beneficiaries in May 2020, and in June 2020 approximately only 11.6%, received rations.
- Telangana lifted its entire allocation of grain under the Aatmanirbhar scheme from the Central pool, but did not distribute it to any beneficiary at all.
- On the other end of the scale, Rajasthan distributed grain to almost 95% of its estimated target.
Explanation?
- The food minister said that the State governments have not distributed the full component of food allocated under the Aatmanirbhar package, as they did not have that many migrants in need.
- States have communicated in writing, as well as during weekly reviews, the estimated number of migrants in their States, identified through de-duplication of Aadhaar.
- The Ministry has issued directions for the States to immediately begin lifting the extra allocation of food grains from Central warehouses, so that they do not face any distribution hurdles during the monsoon season.
Recently in news: Click Here to read more about the PMGKAY scheme extension (1st Article)
-Source: The Hindu
