UP Government extends free ration scheme

Tags: State News

The first decision taken by the Yogi Adiyanath  government after coming to power in Uttar Pradesh was to extend the free ration scheme to 15 crore  people of the state by three more months till 30 June, 2022. The scheme was to end in March 2022. The  free food scheme was considered to be one of the main reasons for the success of the BJP in the recently concluded state legislative Assembly election.

• The Government of India had launched the  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) in April 2020 to provide relief to the poor and migrant population suffering due to corona -19 pandemic  induced  lockdown and the consequent hardship faced by them. The  beneficiaries were provided 5 kg of wheat/rice per unit (family member) per month through the Public Distribution System (PDS). 

• The scheme continued till November 2021, after which the Uttar Pradesh government decided to continue with the scheme on its own.

• In addition, the state government also decided to provide 1 kg of whole chana, 1 litre of edible oil and 1 kg of salt once every month to the beneficiaries.

• The people of Uttar Pradesh get ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

• The estimated expenditure of the project is around Rs 4000 crore. 

Also see 25 march 2022 post for UP