Cabinet approves extension of free ration scheme; extension for 5 years from 1 January 2024

New Delhi ∙ The Union Cabinet meeting has decided to extend the free ration scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for another 5 years from January 1, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last month during the election campaign in 5 states that the scheme will be extended for 5 years. Under the scheme, each person gets 5 kg of food grains and in Antyodaya scheme, a family gets 35 kg of food grains every month.

Explaining the decisions of the cabinet, Minister Anurag Thakur said that the project to ensure food security for 81.35 crore people at a cost of 11.80 lakh crore rupees in 5 years is one of the largest social welfare projects in the world. It was said that food security was provided to 80 crore people during the covid period.

Other Decisions:

∙ Approval of Comprehensive Development Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) for Special Vulnerable Tribal Sections at a cost of Rs 24,104 crore. This is the project announced in the budget. The aim is to integrate the projects of 9 ministries in 11 sectors such as housing, roads, piped water, vocational education and skills, and medical facilities.

∙ Approved the issues for consideration of the 16th Finance Commission. The recommendations will be for 5 years from 1st April 2026. The commission will prepare the report before October 31, 2025.

∙ Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts will continue as a centrally initiated scheme till 31 March 2026.

∙ Approved a scheme to provide drones for agricultural services to 15,000 selected women self-help groups.

A maximum of Rs 8 lakh will be given. Members of women’s self-help groups will be trained to use drones to fertilize and spray pesticides. 15,000 per month will be paid to those appointed after training in drone flying. 10,000 for assistant and Rs.

More money was sought for highway development

New Delhi – The Ministry of Transport has given a report that if more money is not allocated for the development of highways, one of the proud projects of the government, the target will not be achieved next year.

The main demand is to allocate more money for the first phase of the Bharatmala road development project. The Ministry of Transport pointed out that the cost will increase to Rs 10.60 lakh crore from Rs 5.30 lakh crore when the project was launched in 2017. The reason is the cost of land acquisition.