Sri Sri Ravi Shankar lauds PM Modi for extending free ration scheme amid Covid-19 pandemic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday anunced extension of Prhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a programme to provide free ration for over 80 crore people, mostly poor, by five more months till vember end. Art of Living Foundation founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar congratulated PM Modi for taking such a "historic measure."

'This welfare measure t only evokes confidence...'

Taking to Twitter, Sri Sri welcomed decision of PM Modi and said this welfare measure t only evokes confidence but also eliminates fear of starvation, which h gripped country.

In a televised dress to nation, Prime Minister said over Rs 90,000 crore will be spent on programme's extension, and if last three months expenditure on account of free ration scheme is ded n total budget will be about Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

Govt working on 'one nation, one ration card'

scheme was rolled out for three months from April soon after nationwide lockdown was anunced to combat COVID-19. PM Modi ted that July marks beginning of festive season when people's needs as well as expenditure increase.

RE | PM Modi anunces extension of PMGKAY; over 80 cr people to get free ration till vember

"Keeping all se things in mind, it has been decided to extend Prhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana up to Diwali and Chhath Puja till vember end," PM said on eve of start of 'Unlock-2' for a gred exit from national lockdown that was imposed on March 25. 'Unlock-1' ends on Tuesday.

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Prime Minister, in his 16-minute dress, said that central government is also working on "one nation, one ration card" initiative which, he ded, will benefit people living outside ir home for employment and or needs most. This was PM Modi's sixth dress to nation after outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.

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Underscoring ermity of free ration scheme, he said it covers two and half times population of United States, 12 times population of United Kingdom and double population of European Union. Each member of a family covered under scheme will get five-kilogram wheat or rice, and every family will get one-kilogram whole gram per month as well.

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(With PTI inputs)