Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the country June 30, 2020, said the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, a key Union government scheme to distribute food grains to 800 million people will be extended to November amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
- The Centre will spend Rs 90,000 crore to expand the free ration scheme till November, Modi said.
- “This scheme will provide 80 crore people with five kilogrammes free ration and one kg dal per month and will be extended till Diwali and Chhath Puja or till November end,” Modi said.
- The Prime Minister also spoke about the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, saying it will help thousands of migrant workers and their families
- Modi also credited taxpayers and farmers for helping in the fight against COVID-19
- “The reason you all have paid your taxes is the reason that the poor and migrants have food on their plate today. You are the reason India is not going hungry. On behalf of the entire nation, I would like to thank all the farmers and the taxpayers,” he said
- Modi also said “negligence in social and personal behaviour” was seen since “Unlock1”, the first phase of the Centre’s strategy to restart economic activity
- There were a total of 566,840 COVID-19 cases across India as of June 30 morning, with 418 deaths in 24 hours and a total 16,893 deaths
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