BI India Bureau06 Nov 2023, 16:14
The government has decided to extend its free foodgrains programme for another five-years. Under the programme, the government will provide 5kg of food grains per person every month. This move, which was expected to be discontinued by the end of 2023, reflects the challenges of withdrawing populist policies, especially ahead of elections, claim economists. While the near-term macro implications are expected to be muted, there are concerns about the medium-term risks associated with the extension.