Antyodaya Anna Yojana – Meaning, Features, Eligibility, Aims

Antyodaya Anna Yojana, also known as AAY; is one of the biggest initiatives taken up by the Government of India. In 2000 this public distribution system was implemented in India. The main reason for this was to provide food security to the people and end poverty. 

It occupies the poorest of the poor in the country through the supply of food and essential goods in a very subsidized manner. In the Rajasthan state, it was initiated. AAY was developed by then Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana Features

Cost of Food Grains

Most of the poor and the beneficiaries get their food and other commodities under the AAY scheme. Subsidized rates are implemented and distribution also takes place through the aid of public distribution system. As per the initiative, wheat is provided at Rs. 3 per kg, and rice is provided at Rs.2 per kg. All eligible families will get 35 kg of rice every month.

Ration Card Specialization

Central and State Government of India identifies the beneficiaries of AAY. After the identification, different colored ration cards will be given to the AAY families. For example, a yellow card is given to the AAY families of Kerala while Telangana has a pink card. Firstly, the family is identified as eligible and then they are given a unique “Antyodaya Ration Card”. The card is also known as PDS (Public Distribution Card).

Allocation of Food Grains

Food grains are allocated on a monthly basis, with approximately 8.51 tonnes per month.

Target Section of Society and Eligibility for Antyodya Anna Yojana

The main targeted part of society are the ones who are terminally ill or widows or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or above or single women or single men without family or societal help or assured means of subsistence. Also, the others include landless laborers, marginal farmers, and rural people into arts are also part of it. Rural artisans like carpenters, blacksmiths, carpenters, and slum dwellers are also included.

Terminally ill patients or widows who are living alone are also eligible. Tribal people and HIV-positive persons who are below the poverty line are also eligible for the program. The eligible people should not have assured means of subsistence or societal support. Families with an annual income below Rs 15000 are eligible for the plan also.

Documents required for AAY

The documents required for applying for the scheme are listed below:

1. BPL Certificate
2. Income Certificate
3. An affidavit that states the beneficiary doesn’t have any ration card in previous years.

Expansion of AAY

The AAY scheme has been expanded to cover around 2.50 crore poorest of the poor household as the following:

Expansion of AAY took place in 2003-2004 by adding another 50 lakh BPL households headed by mostly widows or terminally ill or disabled people or persons above 60 years or more with no assurance of subsistence. Order to this effect was issued on 3rd June 2003 and an increase of 1.5 crore people was covered under AAY.

FAQs on Antyodya Anna Yojana

Question 1: What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Answer:

It is a scheme sponsored by the Government of India. The main aim and objective of the scheme are to give high-quality and subsidized food to the poorest families.

Question  2: How to apply for Antyodya Anna Yojana?

Answer:

• First, have to visit the official website nfsa.gov.in. Clicking on the option Ration Cards, apply for a new Ration Card.
• State/UT Food portals appear on the screen.

Question 3: When was AAY launched?

Answer:

AAY was launched in the year 2000, by the Government of India.

Question 4: What is the main purpose of AAY?

Answer:

The main purpose of AAY is reducing hunger among the poorest section of the BPL population.

Question 5: Which government first launched the Antyodaya scheme?

Answer:

The NDA government on 25 December 2000, was first to implement in the state of Rajasthan.