New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Centre is unlikely to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) offering free food grains every month to the poor and vulnerable section of society beyond November 30, 2021.

Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey on Friday said that there is no proposal as of now to extend the PMGKAY with the economy rebounding and exceptionally good disposal of food grains in open market under open market sale scheme (OMSS).

"I think since the economy is also reviving. Our OMSS disposal has also been exceptionally good because of extremely good and consumer-friendly OMSS policy this year. So, there is no proposal to extend the PMGKAY," Pandey told reporters when asked if the PMGKAY would be extended.

There are more than 80 crore beneficiaries who receive free ration under the scheme launched early last year to minimise the hardhips faced by the poor due to Covid pandemic and the subsequent economic disruptions.

Under the scheme, the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) receive 5 kg food grains for free every month.

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