Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation in June had announced extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a programme to provide free ration for over 80 crore people, mostly poor, by five more months till November end. The scheme was rolled out for three months from April to June,soon after the nationwide lockdown was announced to combat the COVID-19. Modi noted that July marks the beginning of the festive season when people’s needs as well as expenditure increase. Under this scheme which was announced by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26, 80 crore ration card holders in the country had been entitled to 5 kilograms of grains (wheat or rice) per person, free of charge.
However, if you have not got the benefit of the scheme the individual can lodge a complaint against the same. He or she can call on the number 1967 for assistance. The central government has decided to give free foodgrains to the poor till the month of November, but shopkeepers in many places are doing a lot of dishonesty in this direction and are not giving foodgrains to the poor. This is a punishable offense against which the government has decided to take action but it requires the aggrieved public to report such activity to the administration. Citizens of the country can also lodge a complaint by visiting the office of the Food Supply Controller or the Consumer Assistance Center of the state. Initially the scheme was available only for those having a ration card but now the govt has decided to give the supplies to every citizen of the country.