THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has decided to stop the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKY) which provides free grain to 80 crore people in the country every month. This is a benefit available to 1.54 crore yellow and pink ration card holders in the state.

The scheme was started in March 2020 to deal with the food shortage during the Covid period. The scheme of giving free 5 kg grain for six months to each member with priority (pink and yellow) card has been extended six times. The last extension period expires this month. According to the Union Finance Department, 75% of the people in the priority category do not depend on the public market after getting free ration. 90% people buy free grain every month.

When the fifth extension ended in September, various state governments had written to the Centre expressing concern that if the scheme was not extended, there would be a huge price hike. Then it was extended till December. When questioned in Parliament on Wednesday, Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal did not say anything about extending the scheme. Instead, it was clarified that the scheme, which started for three months, was extended by two years and nine months.

The price of Matta and Andhra white rice has gone below Rs 55 per kg after crossing Rs 60 per kg. More people have to rely on the public market when free grain availability stops at ration shops. It is feared that this will lead to price hike.