PM Garib Kalyan Yojana: Combating COVID-19 for Mains
The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) was a landmark initiative introduced to combat the economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive package of ₹1.70 lakh crore addressed critical areas like food security, health, and financial inclusion, targeting vulnerable sections of society. For UPSC Mains, this scheme holds significant relevance in topics like social welfare, disaster management, and economic resilience.
Key Features of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
The scheme was structured around immediate relief and long-term sustainability:
1. Food Security
- Free Ration Distribution: Under the scheme, 80 crore beneficiaries received 5 kg of wheat or rice and 1 kg of pulses free of cost for three months through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Support for Migrant Workers: The initiative included provisions for additional food grain supply for migrant laborers who lacked ration cards.
2. Financial Assistance
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Beneficiaries under PMGKY, such as women Jan Dhan account holders, received ₹500 per month for three months.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Wages under MGNREGS were increased to ₹202 per day to boost rural employment.
3. Health and Insurance
- Health Insurance for Frontline Workers: ₹50 lakh insurance cover was extended to healthcare professionals.
- Support for Women and Children: Beneficiaries under the Ujjwala Yojana received free LPG cylinders for three months.
4. Institutional Strengthening
- EPF Contribution: The government contributed 12% of salary each to both employer and employee EPF accounts for three months.
- Collateral-Free Loans for SHGs: The scheme increased the collateral-free loan limit for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to ₹20 lakh.
Relevance of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in Combating COVID-19
The pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in India’s socio-economic framework. PMGKY played a crucial role in mitigating these challenges:
1. Addressing Hunger and Nutrition
- By ensuring uninterrupted access to food grains, the scheme reduced hunger-related issues during lockdowns.
- The inclusion of pulses helped maintain nutritional standards among underprivileged families.
2. Economic Stabilization
- The financial support to Jan Dhan account holders and SHGs provided liquidity to rural households.
- The enhanced MGNREGS wages acted as a safety net for millions of rural workers.
3. Supporting Vulnerable Populations
- The focus on women, children, and migrant workers ensured comprehensive support to those most affected by the pandemic.
- Health insurance for frontline workers boosted their morale while combating COVID-19.
4. Promoting Gender Inclusion
- The transfer of funds to women Jan Dhan account holders ensured financial independence and encouraged female empowerment.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite its robust framework, PMGKY faced several implementation challenges:
1. Leakages in Delivery
- The effectiveness of PDS was hindered by issues like corruption, poor infrastructure, and lack of awareness among beneficiaries.
2. Exclusion Errors
- Migrant workers often lacked access to the benefits due to the non-portability of ration cards in some areas.
3. Insufficient Coverage
- While the scheme provided temporary relief, many critics argued that it fell short of addressing long-term systemic vulnerabilities.
UPSC Perspective: How to Approach PM Garib Kalyan Yojana in Mains
To address questions related to PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, aspirants should focus on a structured response:
1. Introduction
- Briefly introduce the scheme and its significance during the pandemic.
- Example: “The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was a timely intervention aimed at safeguarding the socio-economic fabric of India during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2. Key Features
- Summarize the major provisions of the scheme, highlighting its holistic approach.
3. Impact Analysis
- Discuss the scheme’s effectiveness in mitigating the challenges of hunger, economic disruption, and health emergencies.
4. Challenges
- Address the shortcomings in implementation and coverage.
5. Way Forward
- Suggest policy measures like better monitoring mechanisms, portability of benefits, and long-term structural reforms.
Resources to Study PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
To delve deeper into PMGKY, refer to the following resources:
Government Sources
- Press Information Bureau (PIB): For official updates and notifications on PMGKY.
- Ministry of Finance: For detailed economic and financial insights into the scheme.
Academic and Analytical Sources
- NITI Aayog Reports: Provides analytical perspectives on the scheme’s impact.
- PRS Legislative Research: Offers policy briefs and critiques.
General Studies
- NCERT Books: For foundational understanding of social and economic policies.
- Standard Textbooks: For welfare and poverty alleviation measures.
Online Platforms
- Sleepy Classes: Detailed modules on social justice and governance.
- The Hindu and Indian Express: For editorials and updates related to PMGKY.
Linkages with Other Initiatives
PMGKY is closely aligned with other government schemes like:
- One Nation One Ration Card Scheme: Ensures portability of ration cards across India.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Focuses on economic revival through self-reliance.
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Addresses water security and sanitation.
Conclusion
The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana is a testament to India’s resilience and proactive governance during unprecedented times. While the scheme successfully mitigated immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, it also highlighted the need for long-term reforms in social welfare and economic planning. Aspirants preparing for UPSC Mains can leverage their understanding of this scheme to frame insightful answers under social justice, disaster management, and welfare policies.
