Panaji, Jun 30 (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday welcomed the extension of benefit of free wheat and 'chana' under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana till November 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sawant said that the extension in relief of free 5 kg wheat and one kg 'chana' under the central scheme was a "gift for 80 crore beneficiaries across India".
"I welcome the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana on behalf of the Goans. This is a gift to 80 crore people in India," the Chief Minister told reporters outside the Chief Minister's official residence here.
"This government works on the Antodaya principle in reality. This is a step taken by the PM to reach out to the most deprived person in society. Everyone should welcome it," Sawant said, adding that four lakh persons in Goa were covered under the scheme.