Govt to spend over Rs 93,000 crore this year on free foodgrains scheme

The government will spend Rs 93,869 crore this year to provide relief to the poor amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre will spend Rs 93,869 crore this year to provide 5 kg of food grains per month free of cost to over 80 crore people during May-November to provide relief to the poor amid the second wave of COVID-19, the finance minister said on Monday. Last year, the Centre launched the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide free food grains to over 80 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), as part of its effort to reduce the hardships of people during the pandemic.