New Delhi: Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Thursday made two big announcements during his address to the nation -- extension of the current free ration scheme for 800 million Indians for another five months till the festive season gets over in November, besides announcing the ‘One India, One ration Card' scheme.

Hinting that it is a long haul and India's poor and needy will continue to need the handholding of the government, Modi declared that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY) has been extended by another five months. It is a programme through which 80 crore/800 million Indians - two-thirds of the population - get free monthly ration of basic staples. 

The Prime Minister said the scheme, which will provide 5 kg wheat or rice to every needy family with an addition of 1 kg chana (chickpeas) every month, will cost the government Rs 90,000 crore. The total cost of the scheme, including the amount spent so far, has cost the government an estimated Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

"During festivals, our needs also increase and so do the expenses. Keeping all these things in mind, it has been decided that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will now be extended till Diwali and Chhath Puja, which is by the end of November," Modi said.

The Prime Minister credited the farmers and the honest taxpayers for making the mammoth scheme possible.

"Today, if the government is being able to provide free food grains to the poor and the needy, the credit goes to two sections. Firstly, the hardworking farmers of India, and secondly, the honest taxpayers. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart," said the Prime Minister.

He also mentioned how in the last three months, Rs 31,000 crore has been deposited into the bank accounts of 200 million poor families. He also said that about Rs 18,000 crore is being deposited into bank accounts of more than 90 million farmers.

Modi also used the opportunity to propose ‘One Nation, One Ration Card'. "Now a ration card is also being arranged for the whole of India. That is, ‘One Nation, One Ration Card'. It will benefit those poor colleagues who leave their villages and go elsewhere for employment or other needs," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also made two things very clear -- "India will see more economic activities in the coming days, but Indians have no room to be complacent about the coronavirus".

His statement assumes significance given that many have lowered their guard in the battle against the pandemic in recent times. Modi has asked the government and the concerned administrations to more stringently ensure that those violating the basic rules like wearing masks or maintaining social distancing desist from repeating their mistake.

"Ever since Unlock 1.0 started in the country, negligence in personal and social behaviour has been increasing," the Prime Minister admonished (IANS)