New Delhi, 24th December 2022: In a significant move, the government decided on Friday (December 23) to grant 81.35 crore poor people free rations for a whole year under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The government presently supplies 5 kilograms of food grains to each person, every month, under the NFSA, popularly known as the food legislation, at Rs 2-3 per kg. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)-covered families receive 35 kg of food grains each month.
Under the NFSA, poor people receive rice for Rs 3 per kg and wheat for Rs 2 per kg.

During a press briefing, Food Minister Piyush Goyal said that the centre will be entirely responsible for distributing free food grains under the NFSA.

In the meantime, the government opted not to prolong the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a free ration programme that expires on December 31.