In a significant move aimed at benefiting the underprivileged, the Modi government has announced an extension of its free grain distribution program until December 2028. This decision was revealed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav following a Union Cabinet meeting held under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative, part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana launched in July 2024, is designed to enhance nutritional security for the poor across the country.
The government has allocated a substantial fund of ₹17,000 crore to support this initiative, ensuring that millions of families continue to receive essential food supplies as they prepare for the upcoming Diwali festivities. Minister Vaishnav elaborated on the government's commitment to improving the supply chain for food distribution, highlighting the establishment of 52 laboratories dedicated to testing the quality of rice. Furthermore, he noted the installation of blenders in rice factories across the nation, capable of producing 223 LMT of fortified rice on a monthly basis.
In addition to the grain distribution announcement, the Union Cabinet also approved several other major projects. The government greenlit the construction of 2,280 kilometers of roads in border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab, with a fund of ₹4,406 crore allocated for this purpose. Additionally, development projects worth ₹7,600 crore have been approved for Maharashtra, along with plans for the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat.
This ambitious project aims to establish the largest marine heritage complex in the world and will be executed in two phases. With these initiatives, the Modi government is not only poised to provide immediate relief to struggling families this Diwali but also to strengthen infrastructure and development across the nation in the years to come.
