Modi announces free grains for 80cr Indians till Nov

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a free ration scheme, till November end, helping over 80 crore people to avail 5 kg free food grains. 

In a televised address to the nation, the PM said this extension will cost over Rs 90,000 crore, reports Indian Express.

Modi said despite rising Covid-19 cases, India is still in a very stable situation due to timely decisions taken by the government. 

However, he also said ever since Unlock 1.0 started in the country, negligence in personal and social behaviour has been increasing.

His address comes as the government prepares for Unlock Phase II, beginning from July 1, with relaxations in night curfew, provision for more domestic flights and trains, and clearance for more than five people in a shop.

In his Mann ki Baat programme on Sunday, PM Modi had reiterated the country’s commitment to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and had asked citizens to not be negligent as the economy reopened.