The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is an important government initiative aimed at providing relief to the economically weaker sections of society, especially during times of crisis or emergency situations. Here are some key points you can include in your UPSC IAS General Studies notes regarding PM Garib Kalyan Yojana:
- Introduction:
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) was launched by the Government of India as a part of its broader economic and welfare measures to mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vulnerable sections of society.
- Objective:
- The primary objective of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana is to alleviate the financial hardships faced by the poor and marginalized sections of society, including migrant workers, daily wage earners, farmers, and women, among others, during times of crisis.
- Key Components:
- Food Security: Under PMGKY, free ration was provided to the eligible beneficiaries, ensuring that no one goes hungry during the pandemic-induced lockdowns.
- Cash Transfer: Direct cash transfers were made to the Jan Dhan accounts of women beneficiaries to provide them with financial support.
- Healthcare: Provision of free health insurance cover to frontline healthcare workers who were at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.
- Support to Farmers: Various measures were taken to support farmers, including the front-loading of PM-KISAN installment payments to provide immediate relief.
- Other Welfare Measures: Additional support such as distribution of free cooking gas cylinders, financial assistance to senior citizens, and support to differently-abled individuals was also provided.
- Implementation:
- PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was implemented through various government agencies and departments at the central, state, and local levels. Existing welfare schemes were leveraged, and new measures were introduced to effectively reach the intended beneficiaries.
- Impact:
- PMGKY played a crucial role in mitigating the economic distress faced by millions of vulnerable households during the pandemic. It ensured food security, provided financial assistance, and offered healthcare support to those in need.
- The scheme helped in preventing widespread hunger, poverty, and destitution, thereby safeguarding the well-being and dignity of the underprivileged sections of society.
- Challenges and Criticisms:
- Despite its positive impact, PM Garib Kalyan Yojana faced challenges such as administrative bottlenecks, targeting errors, and issues related to the identification and inclusion of eligible beneficiaries.
- Some critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the relief measures and called for more comprehensive and sustained support to address the long-term socio-economic repercussions of the pandemic.
- Conclusion:
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana exemplifies the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development, particularly in times of crisis. While it provided immediate relief to the vulnerable sections of society, concerted efforts are needed to address the structural vulnerabilities and inequalities that persist in the socio-economic landscape.
These points should give you a comprehensive overview of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which you can include in your UPSC IAS General Studies notes.
