Prime Minister Modi also said the government was working on a “one nation, one ration card” initiative.
To help the poor tide over the economic depression caused by the Covid-19 blockade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKY) until November.
The plan, which began distributing rations to the poor after the closure was announced, would end today.
However, PM Modi stressed that while timely blocking to contain the spread of Covid-19 It saved many lives, people have shown negligence in personal and social behavior since “Unlock 1”.
“Our government has decided to extend the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana to Diwali and Chhat Puja, that is, until November. This means that the scheme that gives free ration to 80 million crores will continue until November. The government will give each family member 5 kg of wheat or 5 kg of rice, apart from 1 kg of grams. The expansion of this scheme will cost Rs 90,000 crore (for the treasury). If we add up the expenses incurred in the last three months, it is Rs 1.5 lakh crore, ”Modi said in a televised address to the nation.
Previously, the government was giving a kilo of daal along with 5 kg of wheat or rice. This was beyond their right under the National Food Security Law (NFSA), where beneficiaries have to pay between Rs 1 and Rs 3 for each kg of ration. The pulse grinding, however, ended up delaying the delivery and distribution of the daal. Changing it to grams is expected to speed up delivery.
The prime minister said the decision was being made as during the monsoons and after there is little work in the agricultural sector. “In other sectors, there is a slowdown. July also marks the beginning of a series of festivities that start from Guru Purnima to Diwali and Chhat Puja. The holidays increase needs and expenses, ”said PM.
Modi also said the government was working on a “one nation, one ration card” initiative. “Many states have even done a good job in this direction. That the entire nation will have a ration card. The poor will benefit more from this. It will help those who migrate to other states to work, “said the prime minister.
In his nearly 20-minute speech, Prime Minister Modi also praised farmers and honest taxpayers for their contribution to making the welfare plan successful.
“Today, if the poor and needy get free rations, the credit goes to two groups: farmers and honest taxpayers. Their hard work and sacrifice is why the nation can extend this aid. You have filled the beans to ensure that the poor do not go hungry. You have paid your taxes so that the poor can fight this pandemic. I bow to farmers and honest taxpayers, ”said Modi.
He also said that in the coming days, the government will make more efforts to empower the poor and oppressed and also to improve the economy.
He said that the PMGKY had surprised the world as the food distribution under the scheme was two and a half times the population of the US, 12 times the population of the United Kingdom and twice the population of the EU.
Then he related the steps the government had taken to help the poor. “They all made an effort so that no poor man sleeps hungry. Timely and sensible decisions maximize our ability to fight any disaster. That is why after closing we brought PMGKY. WE SAID a package of 1.75 lakh crore. Rs 31 billion rupees was deposited in the bank accounts of 20 million poor families. The bank accounts of nine crore farmers received Rs 18,000 crore. Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Rojgaar Abhiyan also started at a good pace. The government is spending Rs 50,000 crore on it, ”Modi said.
The prime minister began his 4 pm speech by expressing concern about public behavior during the unlocking phase despite the growing pandemic chart.
“We are entering unlocking 2. We are also entering the season when smoke cases increase. I urge you to take care of yourself right now. India is in a better state compared to the world. Due to the timely closure and other measures, thousands of lives have been saved. But we also see that since Unlock 1, carelessness in personal and public behavior is increasing. Initially, we were very alert about the use of masks, hygiene, and social distancing. But today, when we need more attention, oversight is a matter of great concern, “Prime Minister Modi said.
He added that the public needed to show the same seriousness in complying with the rules they showed during the closing. “We need the same state of alert now, especially in containment areas. We have to really focus on them. We need to question, stop and make those who do not follow the rules understand, “said Modi.
Then the prime minister recounted an incident in which a country’s prime minister had been fined Rs 13,000 for not wearing a mask in a public place. “In India, the authorities also need to work like this. From Gram Pradhan to Pradhan Mantri, nobody is above the rules, ”said Modi.
The prime minister, perhaps, was referring to media reports of a fine of 300 leva ($ 170) announced by the Bulgarian Department of Health to Prime Minister Boyko Borisov for visiting a monastery without a mask.
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