NEWS : Central Government reduced the wheat allocation to some states and UTs under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till September. However, the reduced wheat quota will be replenished with rice to keep the overall figure intact.

WHAT HAS GOVERNMENT SAID

• Decision follows record low wheat procurement expected this Rabi season
• Bihar, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh — will not receive any wheat for free distribution
• Wheat quota of eight other states — Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and West Bengal — has been reduced

PMGKAY

• World’s largest food security scheme
• Part of Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Supply free food grains to migrants and poor
• Announced as part of the first relief package during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Provided to all the beneficiaries under public distribution system (TPDS) for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority household (PHH) ration cardholders.
• Eligible beneficiaries will receive 5kg of foodgrains and 1 kg Gram per month.