<h4>Introduction to Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)</h4><p>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)</strong> is a significant initiative launched by the <strong>Central Government</strong>. It was introduced in <strong>2020</strong> as part of the <strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong> program.</p><p>The primary goal of <strong>PMGKAY</strong> was to mitigate the severe economic impact of the <strong>COVID-19 pandemic</strong>. It specifically targeted <strong>low-income households</strong> across the country.</p><h4>Key Objective: Free Food Grains</h4><p>The core objective of <strong>PMGKAY</strong> was to provide <strong>free food grains</strong> to vulnerable populations. This provision was made <strong>in addition to</strong> the regular allocations already provided under the <strong>National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013</strong>.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p><strong>PMGKAY</strong> acted as a crucial safety net, ensuring food security during an unprecedented national crisis by supplementing existing welfare measures.</p></div><h4>Beneficiaries and Entitlements</h4><p>Initially, <strong>PMGKAY</strong> extended additional free food grains to approximately <strong>80 crore beneficiaries</strong>. These beneficiaries were already covered under the <strong>NFSA</strong> framework.</p><p>The scheme included both <strong>Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households</strong> and <strong>Priority Households (PHH)</strong>.</p><ul><li><strong>Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households</strong>: Each <strong>AAY household</strong> was entitled to receive <strong>35 kg of food grains per month</strong>.</li><li><strong>Priority Households (PHH)</strong>: Beneficiaries under <strong>PHH</strong> received <strong>5 kg of food grains per person per month</strong>.</li></ul><div class='info-box'><p><strong>NFSA, 2013</strong> provides for subsidized food grains. <strong>PMGKAY</strong> added an extra layer of support by making these additional allocations completely free of cost.</p></div><h4>Phases and Distribution</h4><p>The implementation of <strong>PMGKAY</strong> was structured into <strong>seven phases</strong>. These phases spanned from <strong>April 2020</strong> to <strong>December 2022</strong>.</p><p>Over its operational period, the scheme successfully distributed a substantial volume of food grains. A total of <strong>1,015 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT)</strong> of food grains were distributed under <strong>PMGKAY</strong>.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>For <strong>UPSC Prelims</strong>, remember key figures like <strong>80 crore beneficiaries</strong> and the total distribution of <strong>1,015 LMT</strong>. For <strong>Mains</strong>, focus on the scheme's role in crisis management and its linkage to <strong>NFSA</strong> and <strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong>.</p></div>