India govt likely to extend its free food programme for poor – CNBC TV18

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New Delhi (Reuters) – India is likely to extend its free food programme for the poor by three to six months, CNBC TV18 reported on Wednesday, a move that could cost the government $10 billion more and make it challenging for it to meet its fiscal deficit target.

India has spent nearly $43 billion since April 2020 on its free food program known as ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ where it provides 5 kg of foodgrain to poor families.

A six-month increase could cost the government an additional 800 billion rupees ($10 billion), according to a government official, who did not want to be named.

A spokesperson for India’s finance ministry did not immediately reply to a message seeking comment.

Most economists expect the Indian government to miss its fiscal deficit target of 6.4% of GDP for the 2022/23 year that started on April 1 as it has taken a number of measures to fight inflation that could cost the government over $20 billion.

($1 = 79.9250 Indian rupees)

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