Unraveling the Benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

• Each beneficiary will receive 5 kg of rice and wheat at no cost.
• These provisions are in addition to the allocated quota of rice at Rs 3/kg and wheat at Rs 2/kg.
• Individuals will receive double their entitlement for a specific period.
• The extra allocation will be provided free of charge.
• The Government will also distribute 1 kg of pulses free of cost to cater to the protein needs of the beneficiaries.
• The type of pulses distributed will be determined based on regional preferences.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing the Impact of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

• Successive Governments post-independence have endeavored to ensure the availability of food at affordable prices for the poor.
• Over time, both the budget and scope for providing subsidized ration to the poor have steadily increased.
• Despite the increase in budget and scope, the impact in resolving the issues was restricted.
• The problem of malnutrition and starvation among the poor did not decrease proportionately with the increase in food production and storage in India.
• The primary reason for this persistent issue was the absence of an efficient delivery system.
• Post 2014, efforts were renewed to harness the power of technology to improve the delivery system.
• Technology played a crucial role in linking Aadhar cards with ration cards, helping to eliminate fake beneficiaries.
• The Covid-19 pandemic posed a significant threat to the livelihood of millions of Indians. However, the use of technology ensured the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana reached the intended beneficiaries, ensuring that no one went hungry during this crisis.
• The Government of India allocated more than 2 lakh crores to ensure the availability of free ration for over 80 crore people during the pandemic.