Centre extends free foodgrain plan for 5 years

The Centre on Wednesday announced an extension of the free foodgrain scheme — Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) — for five years till December 2028, with the overall subsidy pegged at Rs 11.8 lakh crore. The scheme entails monthly provision of 5 kg foodgrain to 81.3 crore poor beneficiaries. It also includes supply of 35 kg grains to every family covered by the Antyodaya scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the extension of the scheme for five years, which was cleared by the cabinet late Tuesday.