RAS question
PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides:
Correct answer: (A) Free foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free foodgrains to beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act.
Explanation
PMGKAY is a food-security scheme, not a cash or input-subsidy scheme. It began during COVID-19 in April 2020, providing 5 kg free foodgrains per person per month to NFSA beneficiaries. The PIB Cabinet release confirms the continuing character of the scheme: from 1 January 2024, the Central Government decided to provide free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under PMGKAY for five years. PIB also identifies the grains as rice, wheat and coarse grains or millets, and links the measure to food and nutrition security, affordability and access through the Public Distribution System. Therefore, PMGKAY's benefit is free foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Subsidised fertilisers are an agricultural input support, while PMGKAY is a free foodgrains scheme under the PIB Cabinet release.
- (C) A cash transfer would put money into beneficiaries' accounts, whereas PMGKAY provides foodgrains free of cost through the food-security system.
- (D) Free cooking gas is associated with Ujjwala-type LPG support, while PMGKAY concerns free rice, wheat and coarse grains or millets.
Concept
Welfare schemes under the Indian Economy syllabus include food security and the Public Distribution System. PMGKAY recurs in RAS because candidates must distinguish similar-sounding Union welfare schemes by the actual benefit delivered.