Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta today said that the Narendra Modi Government’s free ration scheme PMGKAY benefitted 80 crore people and did not allow the country’s poverty level to increase despite the pandemic and resultant lockdown.
This was stated by him during his visit to Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets in Ward Number 58, 47 and 20 in the Gandhi Nagar constituency where he distributed packets of food grains to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna (PMGKAY) on Wednesday.
He undertook the activity as part of the BJP’s ‘Samajik Nyay Pakhwada’ (fortnight dedicated to social justice) campaign.
Addressing a gathering of PMGKAY beneficiaries, the senior BJP leader said that the Modi Government is proactive, pro-responsive and pro-people. “The COVID-19-induced lockdown was imposed on March 24 in 2020 and Prime Minister Modi announced the PMGKAY on March 26. Under the PMGKAY, the Central Government provides five kg of food grains per person per month free of cost. Since then 80 crore people have been provided with free food grains. Its impact was that when people emerged out of the lockdown, the level of poverty that would have otherwise increased did not rise and Modi’s policies handled this shock,” he added.
Kavinder asserted that the poor people were able to sustain with dignity after the lockdown due to the scheme. He asked the people to support the endeavour of Modi Government for the overall welfare of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Kavinder Gupta along with Vinay Gupta, BJP district president started development work of lane and drain at Ward 47 with an estimated cost of Rs 35 lakh. Others who were present include Sharda Devi, Corporator, Neeraj Lucky Puri Mandal President, Vivek Patyal, Karuna Khetri, Purshotam, Subhash Chander, Dalbeer Singh, Karishan Lal, Dr Devender and Ashok Kumar.