Free Ration Yojna: The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till September. This will be the sixth phase of the scheme. The Yogi government has set a target of distributing 44.61 lakh metric tonnes of food grains during this period. Under the scheme, free food grains are distributed to the beneficiaries.

State government spokesperson said that from April 2020 to May 2022, a total of 147.77 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been distributed free of cost in the state. According to the UP government, 15 crore people of the state are getting direct benefits from this free ration scheme. This is the reason that the scheme was extended for three months in the cabinet meeting held on the very next day of the 2022 assembly election results and then the swearing-in in UP and now it has been extended again till September.

Under PMGKAY, more than 80 crore people are being provided 5 kg food grains per month. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 80 crore ration card holders have been identified for free ration. They are given free ration in addition to the subsidized food grains distributed through ration shops. During the campaigning in the UP elections, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had presented this scheme as his achievement. This plan was discussed in every rally. According to election analysts, this plan had a major contribution in winning the election. The effect of this scheme was visible on the people and the BJP was successful in saving its power in UP. However, due to this scheme, a huge amount of the country's money is being wasted in promoting freebies. The opposition is making such allegations every day.