New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that a key government scheme to distribute free food grains to 80 crore of India’s poorest would be extended by five months to November-end to give relief during the festival season as the country fights coronavirus. He referred to Diwali and Chhath Puja, a festival celebrated in a big way in Bihar.
“Keeping in mind all the festivals that are coming up in the next few months, this scheme to provide 80 crore people with 5 kg free ration and 1 kg dal (pulses) per month will now be extended till Diwali and Chhath Puja, or till the end of November,” PM Modi said, addressing the nation for the sixth time after the coronavirus outbreak.
The government plans to spend Rs 90,000 crore on expanding the free ration scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, till November.
