Surat is set to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 7, 2025, where he will address a large public gathering at Nilgiri Ground in Limbayat. During this visit, the Prime Minister will oversee the distribution of benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to approximately 200,000 eligible beneficiaries as part of the Surat District Food Security Saturation Campaign. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will also be present at the event. Ahead of this significant occasion, senior officials and local representatives conducted an inspection of the venue on Wednesday to review preparations.
The PMGKAY initiative was launched by the Indian government under the leadership of Narendra Modi during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide free and quality food grains to economically weaker families. As per agency reports, Gujarat has issued over 7.6 million National Food Security Act (NFSA) cards, covering approximately 37.2 million individuals who benefit from the scheme. To ensure broader coverage, the Gujarat government has included recipients of social welfare programs such as the Gangaswarupa Economic Assistance Scheme, the Old Age Pension Scheme, and the Disability Assistance Scheme as priority families under NFSA, irrespective of their income criteria. This inclusion enables these individuals to receive subsidized food grains and free rations under PMGKAY.
Recognizing the importance of food security for marginalized sections, the Surat District Food Security Saturation Campaign was launched with a special focus on widows, elderly citizens, individuals with disabilities, and daily wage earners. A thorough examination by the district administration revealed that around 150,000 beneficiaries in Surat were already receiving benefits under various social security schemes. Subsequently, dedicated teams at the taluka and zone levels were formed to identify eligible beneficiaries who were yet to be included under NFSA.
Through an extensive survey conducted over the past year, additional families who met the eligibility criteria were identified and included in the program. As a result, the campaign successfully identified approximately 200,000 beneficiaries who will receive food security benefits directly from the Prime Minister on March 7, 2025.
Under the NFSA, the Indian government provides five kilograms of wheat or rice per person per month to each cardholder. In addition to this, the Gujarat government offers various essential food items at subsidized rates, including one kilogram of pigeon peas (toor dal) at ₹50 per kg, one kilogram of gram (chana) at ₹30 per kg, and sugar at concessional rates based on the type of beneficiary card. Fortified salt is provided at ₹1 per kg, ensuring nutritional security alongside food security. Furthermore, on festive occasions like Janmashtami and Diwali, additional benefits such as one kilogram of sugar and one liter of double-filtered peanut oil at ₹100 per liter are distributed to all NFSA cardholders.
With final preparations in place, Surat is gearing up for the grand event, where the Prime Minister’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure food security for every eligible family in the district.
